Disease resistance - Rejuvenate Wellness

What is Disease Resistance?

Disease resistance is the ability of an organism to resist infection and damage caused by disease-causing pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and nematodes. It is an important defense mechanism against diseases in plants, animals, and humans.

There are two main types of disease resistance:

Type	Description
Innate or natural resistance	An inherent ability to resist infection, not specific to any particular pathogen. Provides a basic level of protection against a broad range of pathogens. E.g., skin providing a barrier to entry of microbes.
Acquired or adaptive immunity	Develops after exposure to a pathogen and protects against subsequent infections by the same pathogen. Involves immune cells and molecules that specifically target the invading pathogen. E.g., antibody production against a virus after viral infection.

How Does Disease Resistance Work?

Disease resistance relies on various physical and chemical barriers, immune cells, and antimicrobial molecules. Some key examples:

• Physical barriers like skin, mucus, and cilia block entry and spread of pathogens in the body.
• Immune cells like lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils detect, engulf, and destroy invading pathogens. They also produce antibodies that bind specifically to pathogens and mark them for destruction.
• Antimicrobial substances like lysozyme, defensins, and interferon disrupt pathogen cells by damaging their cell walls or interfering with their metabolism.
• Inflammatory response helps to localize and eliminate pathogens at the site of infection and activates the adaptive immune system.

Why is Disease Resistance Important?

Disease resistance is crucial for:

Reason	Explanation
Preventing infections	Infections can damage health and even be fatal.
Speeding up recovery	Faster recovery from illnesses.
Maintaining productivity	Reducing sick days and healthcare costs.
Reducing spread of diseases	Slowing the spread of communicable diseases in the community.
Saving lives	Crucial during outbreaks of infectious diseases.

How Can Disease Resistance Be Improved?

Some ways to boost disease resistance include:

• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet high in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
• Getting adequate sleep and managing stress.
• Exercising regularly to improve circulation and immunity.
• Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse that weaken the immune system.
• Taking probiotics and immunomodulatory supplements like vitamin C, zinc, and elderberry.
• Getting recommended vaccinations to develop adaptive immunity.

Conclusion

At Rejuvenate Wellness, we help patients optimize their wellness through evidence-based hormone balancing strategies. Our integrative approach combines nutrition, supplements, stress management, and hormone therapy to support immune function and resilience. By understanding the importance of disease resistance and taking steps to improve it, you can enhance your overall health and well-being.