SPECIAL FEATURE
pathogens and is unstable due to it being
sensitive to many stimulants. It can, however,
be improved through leading a healthy
lifestyle of ample rest, regular exercise and a
proper diet. Acquired immunity, on the other
hand, is activated by vaccination and is the
second encounter when pathogens attack
the body. It is skillful and specialised to attack
a certain strain of foreign bodies based on
the information received from the innate
immunity cells and the vaccination. Though
both forms of immunity have separate roles to
play against bacteria, viruses and tumor cells, it
is imperative that they work well together.
In daily life,
augmentation natural
immunity helps to
prevent diseases and
one such example are
the NK cells. NK cells
work on the front
line of the immune
system for protecting
the body from
pathogens, viruses and
cancer. These cells
are present and active
in all individuals
from two years of
age but NK activity
varies individually.
NK activity means
the intensity of the
performance of
NK cells, and is recognised as a barometer
of immunity. Since NK cells fall under
the natural immunity category, it can be
influenced by various factors in daily life
and age is one of the major factors. NK
cell activity usually peaks during young
adulthood, at 20 – 25 years of age, and
gradually decreases with age. Other factors
include an unhealthy amount of stress and
smoking, which will cause a reduction in
NK cell activity. Epidemiological studies
reveal that populations with low NK cell
activity have a significantly higher risk of
cancer than populations with intermediate
or high NK cell
activity. Thus, NK
cells play a pivotal
role in the survey and
eradication of cancer
cells and infected cells
in human.
Since NK cells fall
under the natural
immunity category,
improvement in
dietary habits will
affect cell activity.
Therefore, it is
important to take
in food beneficial
to the body.
Supplementation of
probiotics will help
boost immunity