Hey folks, viral immunity is very important for optimal health. Given the mass hysteria over the coronavirus pandemic, I put together a video on the basics of viral immunity.

Many of us take our immune system for granted. As a result, our immune function isn’t all that great. But there are many things we can do to promote a strong immune system and resilience to infection.

Unfortunately, immune function always declines with age. This happens via many mechanisms.

For one, systemic inflammation increases, often referred to as inflammaging. Secondly, the microbiome changes in a way that promotes leaky gut which increases inflammation as well. We also become more inactive, which crushes flow of the lymphatic system.

Metabolic dysfunction in the form of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver essentially. Finally, a process called thymic involution happens in all of these conditions. Leaky gut causes transient thymic involution that reverses when you correct it.

The thymus gland is really important for immune function. It essentially trains T cells, the foot soldiers in viral immunity. But with age and metabolic dysfunction, fatty tissue replaces healthy thymus tissue.

Between inflammaging and thymic involution, there’s a substantial decline in mature T cell production. We are essentially outmanned and outgunned by viruses.

Promoting viral immunity

Fortunately, we have a lot of control over several aspects of everyday life that impair viral immunity. Though we can’t prevent aging, we can avoid chronic conditions such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

But these conditions don’t reverse overnight. It takes time and beneficial lifestyle behaviors over a long period of time. I discuss this in the video as well as which factors are important.

Knowledge truly is power here. Build resilience by living a healthy lifestyle so that your immune system does the job it’s meant to do.