Training and immunity

Quite often, intense training not only contributes to hardening the body and maintaining health, but they also deplete the body’s resources, sometimes to the limit. The whole organism works to build muscle, increase strength. At the same time, other systems of the body may receive less energy. As a result – hypothermia, injuries, infections, diseases.
The immune system stands guard over our body. It is she who protects us from all these troubles.
The immune system is a fairly complex system, consisting of tissues, organs, cells located throughout the body. The immune system prevents the penetration of all kinds of viruses, bacteria, various chemicals into the body that can harm the normal functioning of the body, and also ensures the functioning of the circulatory system and much more. In terms of complexity, the immune system is slightly inferior to the nervous one.
Bone marrow (medulla ossea) is a hematopoietic organ and the central organ of the immune system. Allocate red and yellow bone marrow. The total bone marrow mass in an adult is approximately 2.5 – 3 kg. Bone marrow is located in the largest bones (spine and others). Its task is the production of blood cells – erythrocytes and leukocytes.
Thymus (thymus) – the thymus gland, along with the bone marrow, is the central organ of the immune system, in which T-lymphocytes responsible for the reactions of cellular immunity mature and differentiate from stem cells that come from the bone marrow with blood. The thymus is located behind the upper part of the sternum between the right and left mediastral pleura.
Tonsils. Produce lymphocytes. Located on the posterior upper wall of the nasopharynx. They are accumulations of diffuse lymphoid tissue containing small, denser cell masses – lymphoid nodules.
Lymphatic system. It is a system of lymphatic capillaries, lymphatic vessels, trunks and ducts branched in organs and tissues. The lymphatic system is closely connected with the circulatory system and tissue fluid, which supplies nutrients to various cells. Lymph carries metabolic products into the blood, and also contains protective cells (lymphocytes) that absorb various pollution. Lymph nodes are located in the area of ​​the flexion surfaces of the body and act as protective “filters” in which lymphocytes, immune bodies are produced, and pathogenic bacteria are destroyed. Lymph flow is necessary to eliminate the effects of inflammation and injury.
Spleen (lien). It is located in the abdominal cavity in the region of the left hypochondrium, at the level from ribs IX to XI, has the shape of a flattened and elongated hemisphere. The spleen receives arterial blood from the splenic artery, which divides into several branches. Performs blood purification, removal of “obsolete” cells.
When a bacterium enters the human body (in the blood or tissues), it collides with a special cell – a phagocyte. Special receptors on the surface give phagocytes the opportunity to immediately recognize the foreign body and stick to it. Next comes the process of absorption of the “hostile” cell. To speed up the work, the release of histamine and serotonin, which dilate blood vessels, is provided. A side effect is swelling of the tissues at the site of penetration of the infection (tumor) and an increase in temperature. Elevated temperature is a sign of the immune system.
Another example is microtraumas received during any training. As a result, a mess is formed from pieces of damaged cells, their contents and intercellular tissue. Before it will be possible to restore the cell, it is necessary to remove the “garbage”. This is also done by cells of the immune system – leukocytes. They get to the site of injury through the bloodstream and die, releasing histamine and serotonin. Phagocytes come along the vessels that have expanded due to the release of these substances and absorb pieces of cell membranes, making room for new cells. In total, there are two types of immune protection against external influences. One (cellular), described above, the second is a humoral response, when the cells of the immune system produce special molecules (antibodies) that bind to an antigen (foreign molecule).
The ability of an organism to fight against external influences is called immunity. The fact is that once having fought with certain types of bacteria, the immune system acquires the ability to quickly recognize them and destroy them (at the first meeting, recognition takes time, during which the bacteria can breed).
However, the immune system is not omnipotent. If the bacteria managed to get divorced in the body before they were identified, the course of the disease will be severe. The AIDS virus directly attacks, first of all, the cells of the immune system, depriving them of the ability to fight. With a severe injury, the power of immunity is often not enough, and some kind of infection develops in the affected area of ​​the body.
Heavy training can temporarily weaken the protective resources of the body, and this is the reason that overtraining is often accompanied by colds and other diseases. Of course, athletes have a stronger immune system, because, like everything else, it also adapts to loads, but it spends most of its strength on muscle recovery (therefore, recovery of the body in athletes may go slower than in an ordinary person).
Exposure to some environmental factors (chemicals from food, various medications) also depresses the immune system. It has been proven that steroids, while increasing anabolism, at the same time have a negative effect on hematopoiesis and liver function. However, not everything is so bad. The work of the immune system can be boosted with the help of some commonly available methods.
First of all, no need to overtrain! If after the last workout you still have lethargy and soreness in the muscles, it’s better to have an extra day to rest. Then the body will repair the damaged muscle cells, and you will be able to grow normally.
The intake of amino acids, especially glutamine, is very useful for strengthening immunity. Glutamine is involved in the formation of the immune response and in the processes of muscle growth, so if you load the muscles, it will be “pumped out” there, and the immune system will be depleted of this absolutely essential amino acid. Taking 5 – 10 grams of glutamine powder can be a good way out. Leucine and valine are also useful.
An excellent immunity stimulant is Eleutherococcus extract. It also has a general tonic effect, helps to increase the intensity of training. 30 – 40 drops of liquid extract in the morning (half an hour before meals) or before training (5 – 10 minutes) will help you quickly get into the right shape
Antioxidants, including vitamins A, C and E, can enhance the body’s immune response.
The intake of vitamin preparations is absolutely necessary for any athlete, especially those dealing with extreme loads. Yeast RNA preparations have been used in sports for many years. Their main purpose is to strengthen the immune system.
By strengthening the immune system, you will increase the body’s ability to resist disease, speed up recovery after training, and become healthier and more active.