They say that, An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Good nutrition plays a key role, not only in keeping you from rushing to the medicine cabinet during the season of cold and flu virus, but also in maintaining a healthy immune system. Lacking in one or more of essential nutrients may prevent the immune system from functioning at its peak.
Functioning as a complex web of mechanisms inside the human body, the immune system is designed to protect and defend against millions of invaders such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful organisms, collectively known as antigens.
Serving as the first line of defense against these invaders are the skin and the membranes that line the entrances to the body. These entrances are the nasal passages, the eyes, and the respiratory and digestive tracts. If these antigens make it past the skin, they have to face the specialized white blood cells called T-lymphocytes, which continuously patrol the body in search of these body invaders. Other cells that keep the body protected from these harmful germs are B-lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages.
B-lymphocytes are special...