The immune system is the great guardian of the human body. However, when it loses its balance, it can become a silent enemy, giving way to allergies, recurrent infections or autoimmune diseases. This was the central theme of a recent broadcast of the program Sanemos Juntos, hosted by Fulvia Carvajal, director of Communications at the Universidad del Valle.
Dr. Edwin Pardo Díaz, pediatrician, allergist and immunologist, professor of the Department of Microbiology and Pediatrics of the Universidad del Valle was the expert invited to this program.
“The immune system is throughout the body: in the skin, in the respiratory mucous membranes, in the intestine and in the blood. Its function is to recognize what is its own and what is not. When this ability to discern is lost, problems appear; the body reacts against what it should not, such as pollen or food, or stops reacting against what it should, such as a virus or bacteria,” explained Dr. Pardo.
For the specialist, understanding how the immune system works is essential to take care of it. “It is born in the bone marrow, where defense cells are produced, and is trained in organs such as the spleen or thymus. Since we were children, we have had it complete, but it lacks training, and that training is provided by vaccines: they prepare us without having to suffer the disease.”
The immune system requires constant stimuli to stay active. One of them is the intestinal microbiota, the community of microorganisms that lives in the intestine and that permanently interacts with our defenses. “A varied diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and natural foods, strengthens the intestinal flora and, therefore, the immune system,” added Dr. Pardo. “On the other hand, excessive use of antibiotics can upset that balance.”
Immune balance does not depend only on genetics or diet. Stress, emotions and lifestyle also play a role. “When we are stressed, we produce cortisol, a hormone that, if it remains elevated for a long time, reduces the response capacity of our defenses. It is not that we have fewer cells, but they are less prepared to act,” explained the expert.
Exercise, for its part, has a protective effect. “Physical activity stimulates circulation, improves muscle function and releases substances that strengthen the immune system. On the other hand, a sedentary lifestyle and depression tend to weaken it.”
Allergies are one of the most frequent manifestations of poor functioning of the immune system. In these cases, the body reacts to harmless substances such as pollen, mites or certain foods. “A person who sneezes every day or who lives with constant nasal congestion should not normalize it. These discomforts can be signs of allergic rhinitis and require evaluation by a specialist.”
The immune system is trained every day with food, with affection, with human contact. When we are happier, we are less sick.
Listen to the full interview on this page or on our Spotify account