Why do we get sick?

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BY HERBERT VEGO
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Sunday, November 19, 2017
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MY FRIEND Willie Mańabo recently asked me to join a health seminar at Amigo Terrace Hotel, sponsored by a food-supplement manufacturer. I initially resisted, knowing it was meant to entice participants to sell their products. On second thought, I gave in and found the lecture healthful.

I’m sorry to have forgotten the name of the lecturer, but I have taken notes of his lecture, which I am sharing with you in this column. Even if I suddenly recall his name, he would probably not want to be subject of a manhunt by pharmaceutical companies.

In his opening statement, the lecturer said that a truly healthy person does not have to rely on vaccines, antibiotics and antiviral drugs because “your body already contains all the bug-fighting medicines you’ll ever need!”

He said that by the time an infant turns one year old, he will have developed nearly a trillion different antibiotic and antiviral agents in his body to protect him from diseases. If the child retains them into adulthood, he remains protected.

With a trillion different antibodies and immune cell warriors ready to battle our bacterial and viral enemies, it’s a wonder that any foreign invader can penetrate our defenses and cause us harm!

So why do we get sick?

The speaker cited two reasons:

1. Our immune system fails to go into action fast enough; and
2. Our immune system gets beaten down and worn out.

In other words, bacteria and viruses are fast little critters — and they can attack with very little notice.

As we get older, our immune system takes longer to react to these attacks — and that slow reaction time allows germs to break through and invade our cells.

And so we may find ourselves picking up every bug or virus we come in contact with as we get older.

Moreover, our modern lifestyle can literally wear us out your – but not without reasons. “Robbers” out there are the culprits. Among them are:

Poor diet: Many foods are deficient in the nutrients crucial for peak immune function. Foods loaded with sugar, preservatives, refined carbohydrates and processed ingredients not only weaken our immune system but also promote inflammation of the blood vessels!  This inflammation can trigger joint pain, heart disease, stiff arteries and blood sugar imbalance, among others.

Stress: Day-to-day stress from fast-paced modern living mimics our immune system’s “fight or flight” response — creating undue anxiety, fear and nervousness. This causes the release of unnecessary cortisol — a stress hormone — that can lower immune response!

Environmental pollutants: Every single minute you breathe in, absorb or ingest microscopic toxic particles that are detected as a threat by your immune system. This toxic load puts a huge amount of stress on your natural defenses.

Overuse of antibiotics, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines can rob nutrients and beneficial flora that are critical to a strong immune system. Most doctors never prescribe beneficial probiotics to help restore healthy intestinal flora!

Global living and overcrowding: Overcrowding in the cities means a faster spread of communicable diseases.

Our immune system is your body’s defense against infectious organisms and invaders. It’s made up of a complicated network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect your body.

We have antibodies that recognize and trap bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Once these foreign substances are “tagged”, our body’s “killer cells” can easily destroy them. (hvego31@gmail.com/PN)
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