During the epidemic of new coronaviruses, all kinds of suspicious prescriptions will flow out, including claims to "enhance" the human immune system.
Unfortunately, the idea that drugs, popular superfoods, or healthy habits can provide a shortcut for strengthening the healthy immune system is nothing more than a myth. In fact, the concept of "enhancing" the immune system has no scientific meaning.
Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University, said: "The human immune system consists of three different lines of defense. The skin, respiratory tract, and mucosa are the first line of defense and form an isolation barrier to infection. But once the pathogen breaks through this line of defense You must rely on the body's 'innate' immune response. "
The innate immune response is made up of chemicals and cells. Any foreign body invading the body will immediately issue a warning and begin to repel the invader.
She said, "when innate immunity cannot eliminate invading pathogens, the body activates the adaptive immune system," which produces cells and proteins called antibodies, but it takes days or weeks to produce.
Importantly, the adaptive immune system (also known as the acquired immune system) can only target specific pathogens. "For example, T cells against a new coronavirus virus will not respond to influenza viruses or bacterial pathogens."
Special Report: Fighting The New Coronavirus
