13/08/2021
Immune System:
Army or Diplomatic Corporation?
It has become increasingly apparent that our viewpoint about the inner workings of the immune system is somewhat outdated. As science becomes more familiar with the microbiome—the 100 trillion microbes that live on and within us—it is clear that the immune system does MUCH more than simply defend against pathogens and is far more complex than ever before realized. Born out of concepts that took root in the World Wars of the 20th century, the focus of the immune system has primarily been its role as an army, defending our borders against deadly pathogens. However, with 100 trillion microbes outnumbering human cells 10:1, it doesn’t leave us with very good odds for a successful army. So we need to sincerely question if “defense” is truly its primary role.
Research is showing us that healthy immune system function requires continual interaction with the mutualist microbes (the good bugs) that live within and upon us. Without this critical interaction, the immune system is not properly educated. Lack of experience and education makes us far more prone to inflammation, allergies, asthma, and many other autoimmune imbalances. Such research paints a very different picture of the immune system—that of a diplomatic corporation, interacting, cooperating with, and very much reliant on the microbial world.
