Nature has endowed us with a highly complex defense mechanism that protects us from viruses and bacteria. Skin, saliva, tears and gut micro flora, all are making part of our immune system, but the most defense capability is in the digestive system. Here there are about 100 billion "good" bacteria which forms the intestinal flora . And maintaining the balance at this level is basically the foundation of a healthy immune system, since they prevent harmful bacteria growth. However, our defense system is not unbeatable: his resistance may be weakened by some environmental factors or related to our lifestyle.
Misuse of antibiotics
Experts say that although infections affect our health, they have a good side: strengthens the immune system. Thus, when gets in contact with a pathogen, the immune system actually holds the information needed so that a new meeting, quickly and efficiently to produce specific antibodies to remove it. In fact, British researchers have found over time that, for example, a child raised on a farm is less prone to asthma or other allergies than one reared in the city.
Latest statistics show that about 70 percent of people wrongly treat colds and flu, taking antibiotics. That's because drugs of this class have no effect on viral infections. In addition, these drugs are administered incorrectly and long term, destroys intestinal micro flora, weakening the immune system. It is therefore advisable to take antibiotics only when really necessary and after seeing a specialist.
Chronic illnesses
Cancer or severe chronic HIV infection significantly weaken body's natural defenses, people facing with multiple complications such as infection. In addition, although rarely, some people have some deficiencies in the composition of the immune system or illness and they're suffering various severe infections after contracting the germs that generally are not able to get them sick. With an imbalance the body's defense mechanism is confronted with allergic or autoimmune diseases.
Unbalanced nutrition
Deficiency of vitamins (especially A, C and E) and minerals like magnesium, selenium, iron and zinc weakens the immune system. Therefore, experts recommend that people who can not absorb all these nutrients in the diet (especially from the consumption of fruit and vegetables) to follow regular courses of nutritional supplements.
Cold
Low temperatures overwhelm the body's natural defense mechanisms. Thus in winter the immune system is weakened and appear more infections, such as colds, flu or pneumonia. To help the body to fight pathogens, it is better to make influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.
Stress
Daily worries lead to increased synthesis of cortisol (a hormone involved in body's response to stress), which weakens the immune system. Such an effect has lack of sleep, experts say that people who sleep only four hours a night produce only a half of the antibodies needed to protect the body from pathogens. In addition, factors that adversely affect the body's natural defenses include smoking, alcohol and drugs.
It is better to be "trained"
