The ruthless life it seems, when we are less with our army. The nature’s gift, our immune system stands on their feet for 24X7 to fight against infectious diseases. The most common infectious agents causing infectious diseases are bacteria, virus, fungus, protozoans, insects and pollens. Obviously, this spring-summer season is the optimal time for the proliferation of these entities. These small and micro, but mighty entities are always ready to spread their progeny elsewhere. They are so smart and nobody can stop them, they are free and brave. Sadly, they are not under the control of our hand but our natural immunity is there to kill’em all.
The best part of our body is the immune system. In our blood, there are two types of blood cells found, one is red blood cells (RBC) and another is white blood cells (WBC). RBCs carry oxygen in our body, whereas, WBC are the soldiers and build up our immunity.
When we suffer from dengue fever, we are flooded with ‘Cytokine tsunami’. In broader term cytokines are the small proteins (~5-10 kDa) secreted by our immune cells like lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells etc. to fight against various diseases and infections. But DANV virus deceive our antibodies like Th cells and proliferate through monocytes, known as ‘antibody dependent enhancement’. Eventually, this cytokines tsunami results in the movement of body fluids in extravascular space and produces severe pathological and exacerbation of dengue fever.
On the other hand, malaria is the most prevalent life threatening disease crossing 100 million cases throughout the world per year. Interestingly, it is a game of trinity, involving human, mosquito and virus. This Holy Ghost machine delivers a bourne supremacy series and deeper insight to invade the complexity. The virus enters in to human body and starts its journey from liver cells, known as merozoites. After here these merozoites enters in blood and invade erythrocytes resulting into remodeling of red blood cells and leads in rigidity and deformities in the cells. These changes play a pivotal role in severe complication in the patients like anemia, fever etc.
Talking about various ailments related to gastroenteritis are due to growth opportunities received by various pathogenic bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp , Shigella spp., E. coli,, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio cholera, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Yersinia enterocolitica. They get opportunity to enter in our body, when we suffer from food poisoning. The symptoms received are diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vertigo, double vision, difficulty in speaking, swallowing, breathing, abdominal swelling, constipation, paralysis, abdominal cramps, gastroenteritis or infantile diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, fever, chills, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, high body fluid acidity, general discomfort, septicemia, meningitis, encephalitis, spontaneous and abortion etc.
For killing these troopers we need a strong immunity defense mechanism. Our innate immunity is the first bottom line of our survivor but including supplements, food, fruits and other important things, which boost our immunity have to be included.
Our life stye is the major factor of our existence. In Ayurveda life has been described as the combination of body, senses, mind and ‘reincarnating soul’. It also summarizes, stress as a sum of the physical, mental, and emotional strains or tensions on a person. The fast moving lifestyle ignoring essential component like fresh food, vegetables, fruits and healthy drinks, physical activities has induced negative impact on the body and weakening of immune system. Thus, it is important to have check on your lifestyle, physical activities and healthy eating.
According to the Ayurveda, the primary driving forces of the body are space, air, water, fire and earth. Any imbalance in these 5 elements results in the development of doshas. These doshas have been classified in three forms;
- Vata dosha: corresponds to qualities of air and space, synonymous with dry movement.
- Pitta dosha: corresponds to qualities of water and fire, synonymous with wet and hot.
- Kapha dosha: corresponds to qualities of earth and water, synonymous with cool and wet.
Therefore, the overall balance in these dosha is required to boost the immunity. Any disturbances in the dosha results in the formation of toxins in the body, which is a basis of Ayurvedic approach.
An Ayurvedic approach to the immunity (Vyadhi Kshmata)
The Ayurvedic approach for strengthening the immune system and maintaining the balance in ‘Tridoshas specific regime’ must follow which includes diet, yoga and practicing meditation daily. The use of herbs are included in disturbed dosha to detoxify the body. The healthy diet plays an important role in the development of strong immunity. According to Ayurveda, diet is based on six tastes; sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. These six tastes are the fundamental basis of all spectrum of flavors, textures and nutritional benefits. There by incorporating all these tastes in your diet will provide you a full ranges of nutrients. In next article we are explaining the best vegetables and fruits of this seasons which will boost your immunity to keep you healthy and strong.
The Importance of Fruits and vegetables in our lifestyle
If we look into our life style, it is predominantly affected by our diet, sleeping and exercises. Thereby, diet is the most important part in our life and ignoring variety of vegetables and fruits available seasonally, worsen our body as well as the state of mind. If health is good then everything is good. The need of various nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals etc. are compensated by taking variety of vegetables and fruits regularly.
