Understanding Immunity: From Childhood to Adulthood

Hard at work protecting our bodies from bacteria, viruses, pathogens, and more, is our immune system. Our cells, tissues, and organs work together to detect harmful foreign invaders in our bodies and launch a sequence of activities to remove them as well as dead and faulty cells. 

While everyone’s immune system reacts differently, one thing is for sure—it becomes stronger as we grow older. As time passes, we will be exposed to more pathogens and will develop stronger immunity naturally. This is why we tend to fall sick often as children. For some diseases like chickenpox, once an antibody is developed, our body will be able to deal with it more quickly if the same antigen invades again. 

There are three types of immunity—innate, adaptive, and passive. 

Innate immunity refers to the immunity that we are born with. It also includes the external barriers of our body, including our skin and the mucous membranes of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, that act as the first line of defense. Adaptive immunity improves as we go through life. As our bodies are exposed to diseases or vaccines, antibodies will be developed and stored. Passive immunity does not last indefinitely. The immunity is borrowed from another source, such as antibodies through the placenta for babies before birth and breast milk after birth.

For Young Children

Their immune system is still at the infancy stages. They are at risk from many pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Parents can improve their children’s immunity in numerous ways. Research shows that breastfeeding newborns provide passive and long-lasting active immunity as antibodies are passed from mother to child.¹ Parents should also follow the vaccination schedule to make sure their children are protected from different infections. 

At this stage, it’s crucial to build habits that will help build immunity. Regular hand-washing can keep germs and bacteria at bay. Certain vitamins like vitamin C, B6, and E, can help boost the immune system  

For Teenagers

Continue building habits to boost their immune system. Making sure they have a healthy diet and exercise regularly are ways to keep their immune system functioning well. Keeping their vaccinations updated regularly is also key to preventing infection.

For Adults

As our bodies grow older, our organs, cells, tissues, and more, are also ageing. Our immune system can also become weaker. The immune system will become slower when responding to pathogens, increasing your chances of falling sick. Your body will also take a longer time to heal. There is also a possibility of autoimmune disorders developing and also an increased risk of cancer. 

Other than making sure you have the right nutrients to boost your immune system and also keeping your vaccinations updated, there are other ways to make sure your body and immune system are ready to keep sickness at bay. 

1. Getting enough sleep. Not getting enough rest makes you more susceptible to illnesses. When you are sleep deprived, your body’s ability to produce cytokines, a type of protein that helps fight infection, is limited. For children and teenagers, getting enough sleep is important for the development of their immune system. 
2. Getting enough exercise. Exercising can increase the number of natural killer cells in adults and children alike. Natural killer cells help kill virally infected cells and are effective at detecting and controlling early signs of cancer. 
3. Limiting your intake of alcohol. Alcohol can suppress your immune system. It distracts your body from other important functions as your body is now focused on breaking alcohol down. Alcohol can also impair your quality of sleep, which can impair your immune system. 
4. Practice good hygiene. Making sure your first line of defense is protected is important. Other than good hand-washing habits, you should also treat your wounds and injury with proper first aid. Do not pick at healing wounds or blemishes as opening up the wound would allow germs to enter. 
5. Getting the nutrients you need. While eating a balanced diet is important, you can also supplement it with certain health foods like ASODI to improve your immune system.

ASODI has a list of ingredients that can help enhance body functions and your immunity:

• Patented cantaloupe extract: Rich in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) to help fight oxidative stress. Patented technology ensures effective delivery of SOD to the body
• Patented rose petal extract: High polyphenol concentration; helps slow down ageing; combats metabolic syndrome along with powerful antioxidant effect
• Patented fermented soybean extract: Reduces the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and improves hormone production
• Seaweed: Rich in calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, and fucoidan; helps strengthen immunity and prevent chronic diseases
• Green tea extract: Improves the efficiency of SOD; promotes general health and well-being by effectively reducing body fat, preventing cardiovascular diseases, reducing cholesterol levels, and more
• Green coffee extract: Contains chlorogenic acid which has a powerful antioxidant effect; combats metabolic syndrome
• Barley leaf: Contains multiple vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that enhance body function and immunity; rich in calcium, iron, carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B1

To learn more about ASODI, get in touch with us today. 

¹ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1081120610627044