The Immune System

The body is built with a natural defense against diseases caused by infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses and other antigens. The primary immune cells are the lymphocytes, called the T and B cells, which are produced in the bone marrow. After developing in the thymus, the lymphocytes gather in the spleen and lymph nodes. The process of eliminating antigens is complex and involves the participation of different cells like the macrophages and plasma cells, and different enzymes to help the lymphocytes function better. Completely foreign antigens may take time for the immune system to overcome like new flu virus strains. But antigens that had been recognized by the immune system can take lesser time to eliminate; you can get infected by a certain virus without experiencing any notable symptom.

The most common disorder of the immune system is the body's allergic reaction to substances that usually does not cause any symptom to most people. The usual allergens are certain pharmaceutical drugs, insect bites, some foods, pet dander, mold spores, dust mites and pollen. More often than not, allergy is a congenital condition attributed to a genetic disorder. But environmental factors can also play a great role in the development of the condition.

Enhance Your Defenses

The primary function of the immune system is to keep the body healthy. But its function may tend to become less efficient especially when there is a lack of proper nutrition and exercise. Certain habits like smoking can also affect the immune system and make the body more prone to infection. Infectious organisms and pathogenic materials are everywhere, waiting for the right moment to invade your body and cause you to be sick. So it is important to take all the measures needed in order to boost your immune system and keep your immune cells working efficiently.

Regular exercise and eating foods rich in immune-boosting nutrients can help the body to perform better. A study published in the journal Cellular and Molecular Immunology found that the daily supplementation of Hawaiian spirulina can strengthen the immune system and help fight anemia especially in older adults.

Anemia and the Immune System

The blood is composed of different cells and the balance of the production of these cells is highly dependent on the person's diet and his ability to absorb certain essential nutrients. Anemia happens when the body produces insufficient amount of red blood cells due to the lack of iron. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and a good number of new red bloods cells are released in the blood vessels every day. It is important to maintain the efficient production of red blood cells in the body in order to replace old red blood cells and to effectively distribute oxygen in the lungs and to other parts of the body.

Without the sufficient amount of red blood cells, the body is more prone to infection. People with anemia will also get tired easily and experience frequent palpitations, headaches, sore mouth, altered taste and tinnitus or ringing in the ears. The health complications caused by anemia are increased risk during pregnancy, heart failure, hair loss and diseases due to a weakened immune system.

The primary causes of anemia are heavy menstrual periods, iron deficiency, poor iron absorption, pregnancy, intestinal bleeding, and the use of certain drugs. But anemia can be prevented through proper diet and by eating foods that are rich in iron. Researchers from Cyanotech and UC Davis found that Spirulina has the potential to fight anemia by improving red blood cell production.

Spirulina to Boost the Immune System and Fight Anemia

A study from Cyanotech and UC Davis observed that the supplementation of spirulina for a period of twelve weeks resulted to an increase in immune cell count in older women. The results of the study were published in the science journal Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Co-researcher Gerry Cysewski, PhD, executive vice president and chief science officer of Cyanotech said that their study is an addition to the growing body of research on the benefits of spirulina in boosting the immune system and the production of essential body cells especially in older adults. The immune system tends to decline with age. But the study, along with many others, had found that the supplementation of spirulina can inhibit the natural process of deterioration.

The researchers gathered a group of 40 older adults with an average age of 63 years and asked them to take 6 500-milligram tablets a day for a period of 12 weeks. The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of spirulina supplementation in fighting two health conditions common on older adults namely the decline of immune function and anemia. The efficiency of the study participants' immune system was measured through complete blood cell count and IDO enzyme activity. The results of the study showed that after the 12-week period, more than 50 percent of the participants who received spirulina supplements had higher levels of IDO activity after 6 and 12 weeks. The researchers also observed an increased production of hemoglobin which helped fight anemic conditions.

Other Health Benefits of Spirulina

Spirulina is only one of the hundreds of algae species but it has been found to exhibit the most health benefits. The algae are similar to plants since it produces its own food through the use of chlorophyll and makes sugars and proteins like animals. Spirulina is used as a source of food for humans and animals. It is also used for medicinal purposes due its strong antioxidant content.

Studies on animals show that spirulina can enhance the immune system and at the same time increase the production of anti-inflammatory compounds called interleukins and interferons; these enzymes are useful in cleaning-up the aftermath of infection. Other related studies also show that spirulina can decrease allergic responses by blocking the release of histamine in the body. By doing so, the algae can also prevent muscle contraction, blood vessel expansion and the production of acid in the stomach which are the common symptoms of allergic reaction. Clinical studies investigating the potency of spirulina in AIDS prevention observed that the algae can damage or kill the dreaded HIV virus. But further studies are needed in order to better establish the anti-viral benefits of spirulina especially against AIDS.

Sources

nutraingredients.com 

mayoclinic.com

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov