Let us begin by understanding the immune system.
Over nervous system is like a web of sensors originating from the brain and spreading all over the body. The nervous system continuously take a feedback from the body and send directions as to what to do. So if we touch a hot object the sensors detect the heat and instruct the body to take back the hand away. This takes place over micro seconds. That fast this system is.
Nervous system is further divided into two branches, the autonomic nervous system is the one which takes care of all the functions which we do not have direct control over. The autonomic nervous system is further divided into sympathetic and para sympathetic nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system is like a pipe through which resources are flowing. This pipe has a limited space from which the resources are flowing. First priority is always given to the sympathetic nervous system.
Here is the way things are prioritized.
- 1st priority – Sympathetic nervous system – Fight or flight mechanism of the body. When the brain senses a threat, it diverts all resources to the sympathetic nervous system so that the threat is taken care of first. That is the stress mechanism of the body. Pupils dilate so that we can see sharper, airways expand to get in more oxygen, Heart rate increases so that oxygen and adrenaline released by the kidneys can reach all over the body, liver releases glucose, stomach digestion is stopped for the time being and so on.
- 2nd priority – Para Sympathetic nervous system – This takes care of various functions of the body over which we do not have control.
- 2nd priority – breathing
- 3rd priority – heartbeat
- 4th priority – digestion
- Last Priority – Immune system
This is just a representation for better understanding, otherwise this process is very complex and there are many other functions also involved. For example, reproductive system also figures somewhere low in priority. That is why chronic stress inhibits our reproductive system and sex drive too.
Our body was designed to handle one or two stressful situations per day. But modern lifestyle means that we have to deal with stressful situations throughout the day. That is called chronic stress. The body is constantly providing resources to the sympathetic nervous system. These limited resources are then diverted and the most common thing affected is our immune system.
Understanding the immune system
Our immune system roughly consists of the following parts.
- WBC – to fight infections inside our body and small cuts and wounds
- Mucus – to clear the air passage of foreign particles
- Tears – to keep eyes clear and fight small infections
- Skin – the first line of defense from external pollution. Outer layer of skin gets damaged and is replaced by new skin
While each of this system is fighting external threats almost minute by minute basis, these systems need resources in the form of vitamins, minerals and so on. Skin needs proteins to grow the new layers of skin. If the sympathetic nervous system keeps demanding resources, then the body has no choice but to compromise the immune system which is the last priority. Also too much of toxicity in the environment and intake of processed food or low quality food which hamper the ability of the body to fight infections too.
What the answer?
If you are in a chronically stressed environment, the only way to beat the whole system is to eat nutritious food. Processed or refined food has got little to no nutrition. Common sources of nutrition is green vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, fermented dairy products, fish, meat, poultry, other vegetables and so on.
Nutrition packed foods ensures sufficient resources to both the sympathetic and para sympathetic nervous system. Refined carbs and sugars contribute nothing but just glucose and energy to the body. Avoid starchy vegetables like potato and green peas.