The immune system is a task force of killer cells and they contain potent and extremely powerful chemicals to protect the body from invaders and keep the immune system prepared. It works constantly to keep the body healthy and is ready for the onslaught of invaders. It is the body's defense regiment.

Killer cells are poisonous cells that produce antibodies which attack infected and cancerous cells. When the antigens'(a protein on the surface of a cell) change the surface of a cell and it becomes cancerous, the immune defenders are flagged. The defenders consist of the natural killer cells, cytotoxic T cells, and macrophages (a large cell that is present in blood, lymph, and connective tissues, removing waste products from the bloodstream). These defenders are responsible for rejecting unwanted invaders and foreign tissue.

Keep The Immune System Primed

The immune system can become overloaded because of stress, toxins, exposure to smoke, pesticides and poor nutrition. The choices that are made each day influence the immune defenses. So watch the diet, certain nutrients will give your system a boost. Avoid stressful situations.

The Private Army

When the immune system is working properly, it attacks and defends the body against parasites, viruses, fungi and bacteria, and of course when it malfunctions, it can turn on the body and attack healthy tissue, thereby causing serious problems. Examples of some problems are allergies, multiple sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. These are called autoimmune diseases.

The Body Defends Itself

The immune system is functional at birth but must be developed; and as the system matures the body learns to defend itself. It becomes a private army of killer cells. It will identify and remember antigens that it encounters. The system does this by two ways the cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity.

White Blood Cells

T-lymphocytes or T cells which are the white blood cells are the foundation of the immune system; they search, identify and destroy cancerous cells, fungi, viruses, parasites and microorgasmic bacteria. The T cells mature in the thymus gland. It is a major gland of the immune system and is located behind the breastbone. This is where the T cells learn what is "self" and what is "nonself", what should be tolerated and what should be destroyed. While maturing each cell is programmed to recognize one particular type of invader. After programming, the cells are released into the bloodstream to seek and destroy damaged antigens.

B-lymphocytes are manufactured by the bone marrow, when it comes in contact with antigens an antibody (a protein produced by B cells) is made to match its invader and a blueprint is stored for the start of antibody production.

The immune system is a complex network of cells that protects the body from invaders. These cells are capable of producing powerful chemicals known as antibodies that are released into the bloodstream to destroy unwanted invaders. The main duty is to defend the body against specific threats. The largest portion of the immune system is the white blood cells which is the destroying network.