Columnist Dr. Cheryl Christy

Author's note: This column is intended for educational purposes only. It aims to highlight gaps in health knowledge, provide support and empower organizations to guide their members in creating effective health and wellness programs.

The immune system is one of the body’s most complex defense and regulatory systems. It protects against infections, identifies abnormal cells, removes damaged tissue and coordinates healing. Its effectiveness depends on more than exposure to bacteria and viruses. Biology, lifestyle, environment, psychological well-being, chronic disease, medications and social conditions all influence the immune system.

12 MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING IMMUNE FUNCTION

There are 12 major factors affecting immune function. These factors include aging, nutrition, sleep, chronic stress, physical activity, chronic diseases, obesity and metabolic dysfunction, smoking and alcohol, environmental exposures, medications and treatments, the gut microbiome and social and psychological conditions.

Everyone gets sick at some point, but some people catch every pathogen that comes their way. What contributes to good immunity? Beyond sleep, nutrition and gut health, several specialized immune cells play a key role. A complete blood count (CBC) can reveal potential immune problems. This test examines red blood cells and platelet counts, but the white blood cell count is the primary marker of immune strength.

A normal white blood cell count is typically between 4,500 and 11,000 per microliter of blood. If this number is higher, it may indicate your body is fighting an infection and building a response to the threat. A white blood cell count also breaks down specific indicators, such as neutrophils (which protect against acute threats, like sudden injuries and infections) and lymphocytes (which protect against chronic threats, like cancer and viruses). Tests can also analyze immunoglobulins, or antibodies (proteins that help your body fight specific viruses and bacteria).

One underlying cause of an inadequate immune system is nutrition. A “nutrient panel” diagnostic test may be ordered to measure levels of key nutrients vital to immune health. Holistic healthcare providers will often order a nutrient panel. Evidence shows that vitamin D (remember, the sun is your friend) plays a significant role in reducing the risk of certain infections. Other nutrients related to immune health include zinc, iron, magnesium, folate and vitamin C. These nutrients provide the resources immune cells need to develop and function. Chronic magnesium deficiency can lead to chronic inflammation, an indicator of an immune system in distress.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLAMMATION AND IMMUNITY

Immunity is closely tied to inflammation. While inflammation can help fight off infections, too much can cause injury. One lab test that evaluates immune function is C-reactive protein (CRP), which measures inflammation levels in the body. CRP is a protein the body uses to fight infections, but its presence also indicates how much inflammation the body is experiencing. CRP levels rise rapidly when the immune system responds to an injury or infection. If inflammation does not decrease, it can become chronic and signal an immune system in distress. Inflammation is the root of many of our health disorders, from the common cold to cancer, Alzheimer’s, dementia, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is primarily an inflammation and immune system problem. Another test that can provide more details about a patient’s inflammatory balance is the ferritin level.

FOUR OVERLOOKED INFLUENCES ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

1. Psychological trauma and chronic adversity

Stress is not simply an emotional experience. It produces measurable psychological changes involving the nervous system, endocrine system and immune system. Prolonged stress can alter cortisol signaling, increase inflammatory activity, disrupt sleep and interfere with immune regulation. This is problematic for people experiencing caregiving burdens, financial insecurity, chronic adversity or prolonged uncertainty. One way to assess this is by testing cortisol and melatonin levels.

2. The connection between metabolic health and immunity

Metabolic health is often discussed separately from immune health, although they are connected.

• Elevated blood glucose can impair several immune defenses.
• Excess visceral fat can promote inflammatory signaling.
• Insulin resistance is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation.
• Poor metabolic health can increase the risk of complications from certain infections.

3. Social conditions and immune health

This is an often-overlooked dimension. An NIH review suggests that adverse social experiences may influence inflammatory responses while suppressing antiviral immunity.

4. The environment

A Stanford University study shows that our environment, more than heredity, plays a significant role in the state of our immune system.

CONCLUSION

The immune system is our body’s lifelong defense system, influenced by how we live, the environments we inhabit and the choices we make. While we cannot prevent every illness, we can strengthen our body’s ability to respond, recover and remain resilient.

Dr. Cheryl Christy is a Baldwin County resident and registered nurse with nearly 30 years of experience. She holds master's degrees in nursing education and nursing practice and a doctorate in nursing practice. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Pi Chapter, a certified lay counselor and the author of "Voices for Healthcare," a healthcare blog.

Read her previous column titled "Ancient health wisdom: What has the past taught us?" on www.GulfCoastMedia.com. Her blog can be found at https://substack.com/@dnprn.