Medical Insurance and Health Care

The immune system is the body’s defense against infection. When a virus or bacteria enters the body, this body recognizes as foreign and triggers a series of antibodies that attack and destroy the invading germ.
It is composed of cells, including macrophages, white blood cells (including lymphocytes) and soluble products, including Excel and interferon antibodies.

This last “protects us from viruses. Is that which produces fever, a defense mechanism that helps to eliminate germs, “says pediatrician and immunologist allergist Quevedo Francisco Leal.
The baby is born with antibodies that happened to her mother through the placenta during the nine months of pregnancy. After six months these are depleted, so the milk becomes the main source of defense.
These, says Dr. Leal-take time to mature and then only after 7 years a child is able to produce a good amount of antibodies. Thus, children of this age have a higher risk of getting sick so often.
In a child with low defenses, he explains, the diseases are prolonged or complicated.

Food and defenses
is clear that nutrition plays a key role in the formation of antibodies, specific proteins. These are found in dairy and meat.
“The food in general and in particular nutrients play an important role in the development and preservation of the immune system that can be altered by specific deficiencies, excesses or the chronic imbalance between nutrients,” says nutritionist Clara Rojas, coordinator of pediatric nutrition Colombian Centre for Integrated Nutrition (Cecni). Hence, a balanced diet strengthens the immune system.
The specific amino acid deficiency, he explains, decreases the action of antibodies. Glutamine and arginine are two of them, and favor the immune response. When there is intestinal infection help regenerate cells in the intestine. Found in all foods containing protein (such as milk, nuts and meats).
Trace elements are also key in strengthening the defenses (help, for example, to the mucous membranes are in good condition). The most important are iron and zinc. “The hormones of the thymus (lymphoid organ that helps fight infection) depend on the zinc, as well as 200 enzymes in the body,” explains Dr. Leal Quevedo.
It is also important to an adequate intake of calcium, magnesium and copper. Selenium (found in meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables and nuts, among others)-says nutritionist Clara Rojas-potentiates the immune response. Vitamins and minerals also play an important role in strengthening the defenses.

For the former, for instance, its deficiency can cause depression of the immune system. “The adverse effects are observed when there is deficiency of vitamins A, C, E, folic acid and B complex,” says the specialist.