Our immune system has the capacity to defend us against attacks on our body. However, there are factors that can alter or enhance it and others that allow us to know its status. At Biosalud, we consider these factors holistically, and among them, cytokines are fundamental.
Cytokines, molecules that trigger the immune response
Cytokines are molecules in the body that signal the presence of pathogens and, therefore, the need for the body to react against them. This function of communication and activation of the immune system makes them essential, although there are different types of highly specialized cytokines.
On the other hand, these molecules can also have disproportionate responses; an autoimmune reaction such as the so-called "cytokine storm" that causes very dangerous tissue inflammation, as has happened in a large number of deaths from COVID-19.
The influence of age
We often think that as we get older, our bodies are less able to fight off diseases and infections. This is not exactly true. Immunosenescence refers to a decrease in the body's ability due to changes in certain specific components of the immune system, but it does not cause immunodeficiency.
The role of fat in cytokine production
Cytokines, which are key elements in the body's immune system, are produced in fat cells. This may be one of the reasons why women suffer from more autoimmune diseases than men, as men tend to accumulate more body fat.
In this regard, obese individuals may experience compromised immune system function; obesity triggers chronic inflammation and a whole process that can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Genetic predisposition
The strength of the immune system is largely determined by each person's genetics. Various genes are related in some way to the production of cytokines. These are responsible for regulating the detection of pathogens and providing the precise response to eliminate them.
This genetic predisposition that governs the immune system's response to external aggression has a high hereditary component, and the presence of a pathogen can cause alterations and make it respond in unexpected ways. In fact, in this circumstance, it must make an effort to adapt to this external presence in order to supply the basic components that neutralize the inflammatory reaction, creating a specific immune response.
Diet influences the immune system
The foods that form part of a person's diet can influence the immune system's response to certain attacks, as they increase the body's reserves of vitamins and other nutrients.
Similarly, diet contributes to the development of bacteria in the intestinal flora, which in turn helps the body to generate specific cytokines.
The influence of antibiotics on the stability of the immune system
Taking antibiotics in uncontrolled doses, or unnecessarily for a particular condition, can also limit theimmune system's performance. In fact, these drugs can distort its ability to respond to certain pathogens and affect certain immunotherapy treatments.
Specific diseases that can alter our immune response
It has been proven that certain diseases in the body can cause changes in a person's immune system, such as Lyme disease, obesity, or Candida infections. In these cases, the body's reaction to the presence of bacteria or any other foreign agent can even spiral out of control.
Ultimately, whether a person becomes ill in certain situations depends on their health, but above all on their immune system and how it reacts to the causes of the disease. Furthermore, understanding this reaction and the reasons why it differs from person to person is essential for opening the door to new scientific research.
In any case, it is important to take care of yourself individually to preserve your body's well-being and ensure that you are in the best possible condition to react successfully to potential pathogens. It is also worth considering all the factors that influence the creation of something as important to your immunity as cytokines.
