The human immune system is a set of mechanisms that are governed by the natural structure of our tissues and organs, starting from the cells in our blood, and by using our body’s own internal knowledge. While your immunity can kill foreign cells directly with the defense cells in the blood, on the other hand, it provides chemical and physical protection with secretions such as nasal and ear secretions, stomach acid and sweat. For example, stomach acid is an important part of the immune system. In addition, our body has extraordinary abilities in some cases, such as killing foreign cells by increasing body temperature. It uses our muscles to do this. In other words, the immune system is not just a structure consisting of our defense cells.
For this reason, many factors that can affect our body’s defense mechanisms can also weaken our immune system. In this article, we will talk about the most important negative influence factors.
Table of contents
Factors Weakening the Immune System
Diseases
Almost all diseases have different causes, mechanisms and consequences. Due to their unique effects, they can cause suppressive results on many systems and organs in our body. Some diseases can cause our body to damage itself by causing extreme reactions. You can examine these diseases separately in our articles. Major diseases that weaken the immune system; Many diseases such as primary immunodeficiency, secondary immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases, chronic kidney failure, chronic liver disease, diabetes mellitus, acute viral diseases can weaken your immune system.
Medicines
While many drugs are used to treat diseases, they show their effects by suppressing the cells or defense systems that serve in our body’s defense mechanism. For example, antihistamines suppress the release of histamine, which initiates allergic reactions. Many drugs, such as corticosteroids, drugs used in organ transplants and to prevent the body’s organ rejection, can make you susceptible to diseases. Drugs such as ibuprofen used in the treatment of vasculitis show their effect by suppressing the autoimmune response that causes vasculitis. An important part of chemotherapy drugs, which are frequently used in cancer treatments, suppress the immune system by suppressing the production of blood cells from the bone marrow.
Stress
Prolonged periods of intense stress and anxiety can affect your immune system. Stress increases the production of the hormone cortisol, which disrupts the function of infection-fighting T cells in the brain, and therefore causes a weakening of the immune system. Stress is a very important factor in weakening immunity. In some studies, it is stated that it suppresses up to 90%.
Malnutrition
Fruits and vegetables help the body make white blood cells, which are needed in the fight against infections. Fresh produce, nuts and seeds contain large amounts of zinc, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E, and other nutrients you need for a healthy body. Plant-based foods also fill you with fiber, which helps lower your body fat percentage, which can boost your immune response. The lack of these products in your diet, a diet rich in saturated fats and high in salt and sugar impairs your immune system. Obesity affects the immune system by reducing the number and function of white blood cells needed to fight infection. Fats inhibit the production of white blood cells.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system. The working capacity of the liver decreases over time, especially due to its effect that directly kills liver cells. The body’s ability to remove toxic substances from the blood using the liver also begins to decline. You are more likely to get diseases such as liver disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and some cancers.
Insomnia
The immunity of the body, which cannot rest with sleep, weakens. Sleep disorders especially predispose to viral diseases. The body’s ability to fight viruses weakens and cannot produce antibodies. The body only secretes certain proteins that help the immune system, called cytokines, during sleep. Insomnia disrupts white blood cell production, just like stress.
Low Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps strengthen your immune system. The immune system weakens if there is not enough sunlight along with foods such as eggs, oily fish and milk. Sunlight also energizes T cells, which are part of our immune system.
Cigarette
Tobacco and tobacco products weaken the immune system due to the nicotine they contain. While nicotine increases cortisol levels, it decreases B-cell antibody formation and T-cell response to antigens. Electronic cigarettes also show similar negative effects thanks to the chemicals they contain. The thousands of toxic substances contained in cigarettes similarly cause a weakening of our immunity with their harmful effects on our body. The body spends a lot of effort to clean the harmful effects of smoking.
UV Rays
Due to the damage to the ozone layer, the harmful ultraviolet (UV) level from the sun increases. This condition can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and a weakened immune system.
Lack of Exercise
Inactivity causes slowing of blood circulation and delay of cell regeneration. In addition, weakening of the walls of the vessels occurs. The elimination of toxic substances in our muscles with the blood circulation is delayed and these substances begin to accumulate. The level of adrenaline in the body decreases and the activation of the immune system slows down. Regular exercise helps your body fight diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Adrenaline secreted by exercise stimulates the proliferation of immune cells. The blood circulation is strengthened and the defense system starts to work. In cases of inactivity, the immune system may weaken.