As you read this, your body is playing host to countless battles. If you're currently fighting off an infection, this might feel obvious. But, even if you're well, the two trillion cells that make up your immune system, with a combined weight of over a kilogram (a little over two pounds), are battling against incoming germs, as well as keeping your own cells in check if they misbehave.
Your immune system is critical for preventing everything from infections to cancer, and can even help slow the ageing process. As such, reinforcing your internal army is key to your overall health. But what's the best way to do this? Claims in supplement adverts or made by influencers online can be confusing: some will tell you that a given food or pill is 'immune boosting', while others suggest that you need to 'reduce inflammation'.
There's just one problem 'inflammation' is the scientific term for what happens when your immune system springs into action. So which is it, then?
Should we be seeking ways to increase the power of our immune systems, or searching for things that will turn it down to help keep us in optimal health?
Biology is many things, but it's never straightforward.
Hence the somewhat frustrating answer to that question is 'it depends'. But we're increasingly understanding how our immune systems function, in sickness and in health, and how everything from lifestyle changes to cutting-edge medical treatments could improve our immunity as we age.
So, what are the key lessons we can learn to keep our cellular fighting force in good shape?
GOOD COP, BAD COP
AN IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT FIGHTS ONLY WHEN NEEDED IS GREAT. BUT AN IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT'S STUCK WAGING A CONSTANT WAR COULD BE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD
Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av BBC Science Focus.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av BBC Science Focus.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
COULD MARINE CLOUD BRIGHTENING HELP US FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE?
The theory behind marine cloud brightening is that brighter or whiter clouds reflect more sunlight back into space.
IS IT SAFE TO RUN EVERY DAY, OR SHOULD I DITCH MY RUN STREAK TO SAVE MY KNEES?
A running streak, where you run every day without taking rest days, can be highly motivating and beneficial for overall fitness. Running is great cardiovascular exercise and isn't to be discouraged (and finding a routine with some consistency is great). Getting a bit of exercise as often as possible is also hugely beneficial for your mental health.
WHAT MAKES THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET SO GOOD FOR US?
The Mediterranean diet may help you live longer, especially if you also adopt the lifestyle of people living near the Med during the 1950s.
WHAT IS MEXICO'S BLUE HOLE?
The world's deepest blue hole (marine sinkhole) lies off the coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It's at least 420m (1,378ft) deep, but explorers still haven't found its bottom.
HOW CAN I TELL IF I'VE GOT HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS?
Cortisol is a hormone produced by glands in our bodies called the adrenal glands, which sit above the kidneys. It plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation and helping the body respond to stress. While essential for our health, chronic elevation of cortisol levels can lead to several issues.
THE LUNGFISH
In 1836, European scientists discovered a peculiar animal from the River Amazon that they struggled to identify. Its eel-like body was a few feet long and its air-filled lungs persuaded anatomists it must be a reptile.
ARE WE THE ONLY SPECIES TO HAVE BEEN THROUGH A STONE AGE?
The Stone Age might conjure up images of early humans, sitting around a campfire or hunting prehistoric beasts, but evidence shows that we're not the only species that has learned how to work with stone tools. Wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) use stone tools to crack open nuts.
Should we scrap daylight saving time?
Most of us look forward to the extra hour we get in bed every October, but researchers argue that changing the clocks twice a year harms our health
THE INTERNET OF ANIMALS
SCIENTISTS ARE USING ELECTRONIC TAGS AND SATELLITES TO TRACK WILD ANIMALS AND CREATE A DATA NETWORK THAT COULD HELP US ADDRESS THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS
MUSIC FOR A DISTRACTED GENERATION
The number of things competing for our attention is often overwhelming. Can dreamy soundscapes created with neuroscience help our bewildered brains to concentrate?
