Immune Health - Introduction to the Immune System

Question 1

Question: What is the immune system’s primary role?

Answer 1

Answer: The immune system is a sophisticated surveillance system that identifies and neutralizes potential threats, repairs damage, and removes damaged ‘self’ cells, such as cancer.

Question 2

Question: Why does the immune system need to be both effective and precise?

Answer 2

Answer: If too weak, it may compromise health and survival. If too strong or poorly targeted, it may result in chronic inflammation, allergies, or autoimmune diseases.

Question 3

Question: What are the main functions of the immune system?

Answer 3

Answer:

Identify and neutralize pathogens
Distinguish self vs. non-self antigens
Differentiate between harmful and harmless antigens
Repair injury and damage
Conduct tumor surveillance

Question 4

Question: What are the implications of immune system dysfunction?

Answer 4

Answer:

Increased susceptibility to infections
Increased risk of autoimmune diseases
Allergies and cross-reactivity
Insufficient repair (scarring) or excessive response (chronic inflammation)
Failure to recognize and destroy cancer cells

Question 5

Question: What is an example of immune system overreaction?

Answer 5

Answer:

Internal threat: Autoimmune diseases (e.g., Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis)
External threat: Allergic reactions (e.g., food allergies, hay fever)

Question 6

Question: What is an example of immune system underreaction?

Answer 6

Answer:

Internal threat: Cancer, reactivated viruses (e.g., shingles)
External threat: Infections (bacterial, parasitic, viral, fungal)

Question 7

Question: What is Germ Theory vs. Terrain Theory?

Answer 7

Answer:

Germ Theory (Pasteur): Pathogens directly cause disease.
Terrain Theory (Béchamp): Germs thrive in diseased environments, and overall health determines susceptibility.

Question 8

Question: How does Terrain Theory explain why some people get sick and others don’t?

Answer 8

Answer: Disease depends on factors like immune function, stress, emotional state, gut health, and microbiome balance.

Question 9

Question: What modern challenges affect immune function?

Answer 9

Answer:

Reduced early pathogen exposure
Increased allergens and environmental toxins
Poor metabolic health and oxidative stress
Overuse of antibiotics, leading to resistant infections

Question 10

Question: How does the immune system defend against pathogens?

Answer 10

Answer:

Barrier integrity (skin, gut, lungs)
Antimicrobial secretions (tears, saliva)
Probiotic bacteria competing for space
MALT/GALT immune activity (e.g., tonsils, Peyer’s patches)
Inflammatory response to quarantine infections

Question 11

Question: What is the role of innate immune cells in pathogen defense?

Answer 11

Answer:

Macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils recognize threats via PAMPs/DAMPs
They neutralize threats through phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species, and antimicrobial peptides
Some cells act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to activate the adaptive immune system