In a lack of communication between innate and adaptive immunity, the innate immune system can continue creating inflammation while the adaptive immune system attacks healthy tissue
If DCs were asked to name one of their patients’ most common concerns over the previous two years, the overwhelming majority would almost certainly respond with protecting their immune systems against COVID. This has certainly been reflected in the rapid increase in sales of immune-boosting nutritional supplements. However, boosting the immune system is much more than just taking a daily multivitamin, and additionally depends on the communication between innate and adaptive immunity in patients.
Boosting the entire immune system involves a two-pronged approach – improving both innate and adaptive immunity, which must work together to fight off the initial, acute infection and then remember what to do should there be another recurrence. In addition, it also involves helping the body turn off its immune response once that infection has healed, lest it set off a chronic, inflammatory response. Let’s take a closer look at the adaptive (or acquired) and innate immunities and the roles they play in keeping your patients healthy.
Innate immunity
Our bodies are exposed to countless millions of possible pathogens every single day, via surface contact, food we ingest, or airborne pathogens. On top of that, some pathogens can reproduce so rapidly that a full-blown infection can occur within 24 hours from exposure.1 Although the body’s adaptive immunity can effective fight off a pathogen it has encountered previously, it is slow to do so with a new one. This is where innate immunity comes into play, as the body’s first line of defense against acute infection or injury.
Unlike adaptive immunity, innate immunity is not tied to a specific pathogen, but instead relies on macrophages to start the inflammatory response and prevent the pathogen from reaching other parts of the body. At the same time, the body’s innate immunity system will signal the adaptive immunity system to begin producing the specific T- and B-cells needed to kill any toxins the pathogen may produce. Under normal circumstances, the immune system should signal a resolution to the inflammatory process once the pathogen no longer presents a threat. If this does not happen, it can lead to chronic inflammation, which is associated with a number of ongoing health issues.1
Adaptive immunity
Adaptive immunity is more sophisticated than innate immunity because it only responds to the specific pathogen that activated it, and can then protect against that same pathogen in the future.2 The T- and B-cells that the adaptive immune system produces to destroy pathogens are specifically coded to only attack foreign cells, rather than the host itself.
In certain cases, however, the adaptive immune system may fail to distinguish between toxic molecules produced by the foreign pathogen and the body’s own molecules, instead attacking healthy organs and tissue. This can lead to one of several autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or fibromyalgia.2
Communication between innate and adaptive immunity systems
It should be obvious that keeping the entire immune system healthy involves boosting both innate and adaptive immunity to fight off any pathogens as soon as they present a danger, and then protect the body against future attacks. The key factor is the inflammatory process, which is meant to help protect the body against harm and then turn itself off once the threat has passed. In communication between innate and adaptive immunity, if the innate immune system does not know that the pathogen is no longer present, it will continue creating inflammation, while the adaptive immune system will start attacking healthy tissue.
Ultimately, the best way your patients can boost their total immune system is to follow a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep. Regular chiropractic adjustments will help improve the speed and efficiency of the healing process.
References
- Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Chapter 25: Innate immunity. In: Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002.
- Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Chapter 24, The adaptive immune system. In: Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002.
