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Our immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that defend our bodies against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that can cause infections. A strong immune response helps reduce the risk of chronic conditions like autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. When your immune system works well, you recover more quickly from infections, surgeries and injuries.
A balanced immune system can better control many diseases, including heart disease, which is linked to chronic inflammation. A high-functioning immune system can even aid in cancer surveillance by detecting and destroying abnormal cells before they become cancerous. A healthy immune system also ensures that vaccines work effectively by building long-term immunity.
In an era of COVID-19 and this season’s abundance of the flu and the respiratory virus RSV, having a fully functioning immune system is more important than ever, especially for seniors. “As we age, our immune systems are compromised in a process called immunosenescence,” said Dr. Carolyn Word, allergist and immunologist with Allergy Partners of Charleston.
"It’s a process of immune dysfunction that occurs as we get older. It’s not much different than what happens with many other body parts as we age. In this case, the memory portion of our immune systems no longer always mount a robust defense against incoming invaders.
" How, then, do we counteract the normal aging processes and maintain or boost our essential immune system? According to general and bariatric surgeon Dr. Neil McDevitt of Novant Health in Mount Pleasant, the key is to start doing the right things early on. "Starting at 30, we lose about 3 to 5 percent of our muscle mass every decade.
We are on the decline as a global being. So, it’s important to start at age 30 to maintain the strength of our defense mechanisms. We’re built a lot like cars, and when we get past the warranties, it’s more important than ever to be more careful about how we drive it.
Preserving our immune system is extraordinarily important." According to McDevitt, it’s essential to stop damaging the immune system. Smoking is one of the worst offenders.
It involves ingesting toxins, which our bodies need to fight. Smoking stresses our immune systems and removes the energy we need to fight off ordinary incoming viruses and even the infections brought home by school-age kids and grandchildren. It is an unnecessary burden on our entire defense system.
If you’re experiencing stress, try to remediate it. Stress causes us to release cortisol, and on steroids, you are much more prone to infection. Controlling stress can mean regular exercise, a nutritional diet, meditation, laughing more, socializing with friends, and getting enough sleep.
Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the chance of having sleep apnea, which interferes with restful sleep. "When we put weight on, it’s evident externally, but it also affects our internal organs, including our neck. That fat in your neck, which may appear as a double chin, is resting on your airway," he said.
While CPAP machines can help you breathe through the night, it’s essential to tackle the underlying problem of obesity, which can severely compromise our immune system in so many ways. Obesity was recognized as a life-threatening healthcare disease in 2020, which was the impetus behind drugs to lower blood sugar and fight excess weight. GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Mounjaro, initially used for Type 2 diabetes, are now used for weight loss under new names like Wegovy and Zepbound.
They work in a couple of ways. They slow the movement of food through your digestive system, keeping you full and satisfied on less food, and they keep your blood sugar stable. However, once the medication is stopped, weight can be regained unless lifestyles change.
And these injectables do come with side effects, many of them gastric. If they are not tolerable, there are surgical options such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. "Sleeve gastrectomies are done laparoscopically with the aid of a robot and involve small incisions, stapling the stomach down to the size of a banana,” said Dr.
McDevitt. “This affects hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin and ordinarily results in a 40% weight loss. The gastric bypass involves stapling down the stomach to the size of an egg and rerouting the intestines.
This limits how much you can eat and how much you can absorb. Sixty to 80% of weight comes off, but then lifestyle changes are needed so patients don’t backslide." While surgery may sound extreme, considering that obesity is often the culprit behind high blood pressure, heightened cholesterol, sleep apnea, and a compromised immune system, it’s essential to address the issue.
However, there are no magic bullets, and to sustain a vigorous immune system, engaging in an overall healthy lifestyle is important. Below are the keys to a vigorous immune system and a longer life. 1.
Exercise daily. Get a pedometer and aim for a long-term goal of between 8,000 and 10,000 steps a day, gradually working up to this goal. 2.
Pay attention to hydration. Six to eight glasses of water daily is vital to flush out toxins. Check your urine.
It should be almost transparent, not ever dark yellow. 3. Get bloodwork done.
Have your primary care physician do bloodwork to determine whether you’re deficient in specific vitamins and other nutrients. As we age, we become deficient in vitamin D, for example. If you are lacking in certain areas of nutrition, change your diet or take supplements.
4. Check your risk for sleep apnea. Google STOP BANG (an acronym for snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, high blood pressure, BMI, age, neck circumference and gender), and take the questionnaire.
It’s important to do everything possible to prevent your immune system from declining to an absolute minimum..
