IMMUNE HEALTH 101: What is the Immune System?
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
At Emergen-C, we’re dedicated to creating great products that support your immune system*. But what is the immune system and what can you do to help it thrive? Here are key things to know about your body’s very important natural defense system:
WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?
The immune system is made up of specialized cells, proteins, tissues and organs in the body that work together to help keep the body healthy.1
The immune system doesn’t have one centralized location in the body like the heart or the brain. Instead, the immune system is a complex system of organs, tissues, and cells located throughout the body.1 This includes the thymus, bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, and adenoids.1
WHAT ARE THE TWO MAIN PARTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?
The different parts of the immune system serve different functions to help keep you healthy.
INNATE IMMUNITY
Everyone is born with innate immunity (a.k.a. natural immunity) as a form of general protection against foreign invaders.2 This is the body’s first line of defense against foreign invaders.
EXAMPLE
Your skin! It acts as a physical barrier to help block germs from entering the body.2
ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
There are two parts of adaptive immunity: active immunity and passive immunity.2
ACTIVE IMMUNITY
This immunity develops over the course of our lives as we are exposed to pathogens.3
EXAMPLE
Exposure to a pathogen stimulates the production of specific immune cells that mark the pathogen for instruction. The immune cells can then “remember” that pathogen if they’re exposed to it again and can properly respond.3
PASSIVE IMMUNITY
It’s short-lived, but helpful! This type of immunity typically lasts a short time and is gained through another source, rather than being produced by a person’s own immune system.3
EXAMPLE
An infant can receive antibodies through a mother’s breast milk and a newborn receives passive immunity from its mother’s placenta.3
WHY DO YOU NEED A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM?
A healthy immune system protects your body from invaders, otherwise known as antigens, like bacteria and viruses, by preventing them from entering. Should any of these antigens make their way into the body, a healthy immune system is built to destroy them before they reproduce.1
SUPPORTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
There are several ways to help support your immune system, including a combination of the following practices:1,4
PRACTICING GOOD HYGIENE
by washing hands regularly and bathing daily.
MANAGING STRESS
through meditation, exercise, journaling and other mindfulness practices that allow you to focus on your mental health.
EATING A BALANCED, NUTRITIOUS DIET
including a variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and limiting added sugars and unhealthy fats.
EXERCISING REGULARLY
by walking, biking jogging, dancing around your house or anything that gets your blood moving.
GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP
by aiming to snooze for a minimum of 7 hours each night for adults, 8-10 hours a night for teens, and up to 14 hours for younger children and infants.4
WHAT ARE WAYS TO SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?
Help support your immune system by practicing good hygiene, managing stress, eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.
WHAT VITAMINS AND MINERALS CAN HELP SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?
There are several vitamins and minerals that can help support a healthy immune system, including key nutrients Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, zinc and manganese.5,6 A combination of these minerals and vitamins for immune system support will help you take on your days!*
VITAMIN C
VITAMIN D
VITAMIN E
ZINC
MANGANESE
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Source citations:
- Immune System. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21196-immune-system. Accessed 8/15/23.
- The innate and adaptive immune systems. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/. Accessed 8/15/23.
- Immunity Types. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-types.htm. Accessed 8/15/23.
- How Much Sleep Do I Need? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/how_much_sleep.html. Accessed 8/15/23.
- 8 Vitamins & Minerals You Need for a Healthy Immune System. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/eat-these-foods-to-boost-your-immune-system/. Accessed 8/15/23.
- Manganese. Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/manganese. Accessed 8/15/23.
