The human body is constantly at war; every day the immune system
defends against innumerable threats to our health.
But the ability to ultimately win the war against illness and disease is in our control.
We have the best defense known to man-the human immune system.
The Body's immune system

Tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, intestinal wall and thymus are the organs that control and produce our immune response. The immune system is a complex network that regulates our physical and mental well-being.


Step One: Defend


When an invader attempts to enter the body, it must first cross multiple barriers such as our mucus membranes and skin. The Immune SystemIf the invader enters the body, white blood cells quickly recognize the pathogen as an invader and begin to coordinate the defense system. Soon, other defender cells, such as killer cells, macrophages and phagocytes come to help destroy the invader. White blood cells begin to produce an antibody to defend against any future attacks. The body produces more than one billion different antibodies to combat many types of invaders.


Step Two: Attack

The Immune System

The invaders are attacked and destroyed by natural killer cells.
The killer cell binds to its target, aims its weapons and then delivers a lethal burst of chemicals that produces holes in the target cell’s membrane.
Fluids leak out and the cell bursts.



Step Three: Cleanse

The Immune System
Macrophages, the “garbage men” of the body, have tentacles that grab the destroyed organisms and engulf them. The function of the macrophage is to ingest any foreign particles, including aged body cells.





Step Four: Repair

Damaged areas are repaired and the normal, healthy condition of the body is restored. Mast cells release histamine and heparin which stimulate other cells to open the blood vessels, thereby increasing circulation and allowing the process
o03_theimmunesystemChica.jpgf cell and tissue regeneration.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are the third most common major illness in the United States. The most common autoimmune diseases affect more than 8.5 million (or 1 in 31) Americans.

Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology. 1997;84(3):223-243



Diabetes

There are 18.2 million people in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.2 million people are unaware that they have the disease.

— www.diabetes.org


Asthma

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma, and 255,000 people died of asthma in 2005.

— World Health Organization, 2007


Renal Disease

Rates of new cases of End Stage Renal Disease are increasing by 7% per year for African-Americans, 10% per year for Native Americans, and 11% per year for Asian-Americans. Caucasians have the lowest rate of increase at 6% per year.

— American Society of Nephrology