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Understanding the Immune System for Winter Wellness
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Chris Jensen Ever wonder what your immune system is actually made of? Learn how the body responds to foreign invaders and what you can do both internally and externally to support winter wellness in this revealing encore presentation. Nancy Angelini is National Science Educator for Source Naturals and Planetary Herbals, with more than 15 years (and 1500 lectures!) in the natural products industry.
- The immune system is a network of cells that defends the body from foreign invaders. It includes protective barriers such as the skin and all mucus membranes, which are used as transport vehicles by the body to rid it of any foreign materials.
- The immune system begins in the bone marrow where stem cells are formed and from there, all red and white blood cells.
- The spleen is important because it brings blood into contact with white blood cells called lymphocytes. Any foreign invader will activate the lymphocytes by their presence.
- The thymus gland is where T-lymphocytes are proliferated and is also a part of signaling and orchestrating immune defenses. It is likened to a crossing guard at an intersection and cross-walk.
- Lymph nodes are found distributed around the body to filter and destroy bacteria.
- Wash your hands for at least 10 seconds in warm, soapy water. Public health studies have demonstrated that doing this simple task can reduce the spread of germs.
- Consider getting a longer night’s rest during the months when there is less light. Longer, deeper sleep helps our bodies to recover and build even in the lack of exposure to sunlight.
- Science shows that emotional and physiological stress significantly impacts the immune system. Reducing stress allows the body a rest from stress hormones and creates more support for repairing and renewal.
- Cayenne, ginger and garlic encourage sweating to help cool the body.
- Elderberry has been an effective seasonal remedy for hundreds of years in Europe.
- Research shows Echinacea’s ability to support immune function, specifically through the increased activity of macrophages. These scavengers make sure foreign matter is destroyed and help rid the body of debris.
58 Comments
Comments
The most important food facts are the last three bullet points. Washing our hands is very important and I am glad it is repeated here as the first item. May we all be healthier this season.
10/27/2011 7:33:18 PM CDT
Liked the natural remedies info about Elderberry-had never heard of it!
10/27/2011 8:45:53 PM CDT
love to cook with Cayenne pepper and garlic!!
10/27/2011 8:58:16 PM CDT
Avoid stress, increase sleep!
10/27/2011 9:20:05 PM CDT
i wish stress healed instead of hurt!
10/28/2011 12:20:05 AM CDT
I Love the idea of needing more sleep in the winter due to lack of sun.
10/28/2011 1:53:27 AM CDT
WOW!!! this was very interesting. I didn't know how the immune system worked and I learned alot.
10/28/2011 12:46:14 PM CDT
Wow...thanks for this info!!! All during the year I stop by your store for shots of wheat grass juice. It boosts the immune system and it works wonders for my allergies and when i feel a cold coming on.
10/28/2011 4:55:16 PM CDT
This is full of important information that I need to share with my parents. I will be loading this up onto their iPod! Thank you!
10/28/2011 9:49:38 PM CDT
Wow, this was super informative, definitely did not know half of the points listed here. Thank you for sharing! Also thank you for the supplement recommendations!
10/28/2011 9:50:07 PM CDT
very fascinating! i learned a lot. thanks. :)
10/28/2011 10:00:34 PM CDT
I have heard conflicting reports about Echinacea’s ability to support immune function. Glad to hear another pov!
10/30/2011 3:45:02 AM CDT
This is great! I want to thank Whole Foods for doing a public service with these great podcasts!
10/30/2011 5:15:28 AM CDT
thanks for the great overview! lots of information on how our bodies work!
10/30/2011 4:56:16 PM CDT
Very interesting! Love this <3
10/30/2011 9:39:00 PM CDT
It was great to learn more about the body. I have a soldier currently in Afghanistan and he is constantly fighting colds/flu and the "dirty" air over there especially as the weather there changes.
10/30/2011 9:49:20 PM CDT
Thank you for the great review of the immune system. I am a nurse and it is great to be reminded of things that I forgot or do think about. You are very informative and to the point. Great information for all of us. Thanks again. Rita
10/30/2011 11:57:01 PM CDT
What a great post! I never wash my hands long enough and I am definitely going to try elderberry this winter.
10/31/2011 11:55:55 AM CDT
Interesting information! I never knew that about the spleen either. I always thought it didn't really have much of a purpose!
11/01/2011 9:41:53 AM CDT
The hand washing is a huge factor in keeping a family healthy. I taught my children to spell Mississippi and when they finished they had spent the 10 seconds.
11/01/2011 1:41:00 PM CDT
Wow - Great info! Thanks to Whole Foods for the education on staying healthy!
11/02/2011 4:38:59 PM CDT
Thank you for the great information! I did not know about the Elderberry :)
11/02/2011 5:27:45 PM CDT
Thanks for the info! Whole foods might have saved me from the flu!
11/05/2011 8:56:03 AM CDT
Amazing and useful information! Thought I knew quite a bit, but it is a wonderful surprise to find out just how much you don't know!
11/05/2011 8:00:08 PM CDT
This is very useful information!! I think I will start washing my hands more lol!!
11/06/2011 2:42:10 PM CST