You probably know that your heart pumps blood. You may even know that the kidneys filter the blood and create urine. But do you know what your spleen does?

There are two kinds of immune response: innate and adaptive. Vaccines invoke the action of the adaptive immune response and as such will be the focus of this article. An adaptive immune response takes place when the body encounters something it has never seen before.

The immune system is an incredibly important aspect in maintaining good health. It is a very costly bodily mechanism to run and as a result can be easily weakened.

The immune system is one of the more dynamic and complex systems within the body. It is made up of specialized cells, chemicals and hormones which allow the identification, isolation, and destruction of almost any foreign substance.

A healthy immune system requires a lot of energy to keep functioning and as a result is closely related to your overall physical and mental health. Following is a collection of foods, herbs, and behaviors which can help keep your immune system in tip-top shape.

A little bit of stress is good. Short-term stress, or the ‘fight or flight response’, gives us the energy, speed, and concentration necessary to get out of sticky situations. Prolonged stress, however, is not something our body is meant to deal with.

A large part of our aging immune system is affected by our aging digestive system. The vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients required for immune function are taken straight from the foods we eat.

The immune system is a very energy-expensive machine to run. It requires a well-balanced diet to keep it working smoothly, especially during times of infection. While many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are essential for immune function, there are several foods in particular that can give your immune system an extra boost.

The adaptive immune system is unique to vertebrates. It is a more targeted approach to dealing with infections. It is activated by the complement system of the innate immune system and so usually doesn’t come into play until a few days after the initial onset of symptoms.

The first line of defense is the innate immune system. This is something we’re all born with. Humans are not susceptible to many diseases that affect other animals and vice versa. This is because of innate immunity.