Why am I writing this article on the immune system on the Way of the Warrior blog?
I believe that our immune system is deeply connected to the warrior archetype. When some so-called "peaceful" people seem to say that warrior metaphors are detrimental to peace and that we should eliminate war to live "peace on earth", I always ask them this. "Would you want your human body to be peaceful? Would you want your immune system to act peacefully in the face of viruses and disease?
The Warrior, like the immune system, is responsible for protecting the border of his territory
Our immune system is our first line of defence against enemies: viruses, bacteria, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and many other diseases.
But many factors can affect the immune system, such as chronic stress, poor diet, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, smoking, etc.
The human body has a powerful immune system that can easily fight colds and defeat cancer. It is composed of billions of cells and defends the body against bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
The strategy and tactics of our Immune System Warrior
The association and image of the body fighting an army of foreign and threatening invaders is very powerful.
Our immune system reacts to every possible danger and to anything that can lower our resistance and make us more vulnerable to disease. The strategies and tactics of our immune system are incredible.
To successfully fight a virus or a cancerous tumour, our immune system must be intelligent and adaptable. What is the strategy our immune system uses? How does it identify an enemy? How does it determine which weapon to use from its vast arsenal of weapons? I don't know and I won't answer these questions.
The immune system and the war metaphor
Immunological knowledge uses war metaphors: immune cells are 'sentinels' capable of identifying any potential invader and destroying pathogens that enter the body.
The site of inflammation is the battlefield
The site of inflammation is described as a battlefield. The cells are armed with chemical weapons and fight for territory. This is how the immune system defends itself against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and damaged cells.
Our surveillance system for foreign invaders
The immune system is an amazing thing. It can protect us from foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, but it is also the body's first line of defence against cancer cells.
T cells are a type of white blood cell designed to fight cancer cells. They are called "killer lymphocytes" because they can identify and destroy any cancer cells they find.
This is an excellent example of how the immune system works to attack the enemy within - in this case, cancer cells.
Counter-espionage system
There is even the equivalent of counter-intelligence services: 'killer lymphocytes' that attack cancer cells before they can grow out of control.
Killer lymphocytes are part of this service that identify and destroy infected cells using a process called apoptosis (cell suicide).
The Way of the Warrior and immune self-defence
The practice of immune self-defence involves creating an alliance between our cognitive and somatic (body-mind) minds to help our immune system function optimally in our relational field.
We offer mind-body exercises designed to reduce stress, improve nutrition and address other health factors that can affect the immune system.
In general, a healthy lifestyle is the best step you can take to naturally keep your immune system strong and healthy. All of your body's systems, including the immune system, work best when you follow balanced, healthy strategies such as the 7 points outlined here:
THE SEVEN POINTS FOR A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM
1. Eat a healthy diet and nutrient-rich nutrition to strengthen your immune system.
2. Follow a martial path and/or exercise regularly.
3. Stay hydrated
4. Get enough sleep
5. Reduce stress, Relaxation-Respiration-Care.
6. Align your three minds
7. Having a healthy and generative relational field
The 7 points mentioned above to strengthen our immune system are part of the practice of a martial discipline or the way of the warrior.
Immune self-defense is one of the many courses that will be dedicated to the nutrition of the Warrior. If you are subscribed to our Way of the Warrior mailing list, you will be notified of any new programs or articles on this subject.
Here is our first Warrior Nutrition programme: Immune Self-Defence
The Warrior's nutrition and the martial way of the immune system
This first part of the Warrior Nutrition Programme addresses the first of the 7 points. The other points will be discussed in other articles.
Every great warrior understands the importance of a diet that will support him in his quest and his various missions in life.
The food we eat has implications for our physical health, our mental health and our performance during the day. A healthy diet protects our immune system.
There is a strong link between the foods we eat and the health of our immune system. As numerous research studies have shown, some nutrients play a more important role than others, either directly or indirectly, in the proper functioning of our body and its natural defences.
I confess that the aim of this programme is not to find out how the immune system and important players such as T-cells, antibodies, dendritic cells, macrophages, etc. are able to cope with various pathogenic threats and protect us from infections. Do your research in immunology if you are interested in this subject.
The aim of this programme is to give meaning to our warrior's approach in all spheres of our life through our martial discipline. Having a powerful body in a healthy mind requires a lifestyle oriented towards the pursuit of excellence. And it starts with the two small weapons you use every day, your fork and your knife.