Immune health

throughout your life

Have you ever wondered why children seem to get illnesses much more often than adults? Or why do elderly people suffer from severe side effects of a regular cold or flu?

It is connected with development and ageing of our immune system. Read on to find out how your immune system changes over time and what you can do to boost it at any age.

Age and the functions of the immune system

Your immune system is your body’s natural defence. It helps your body to fight and get rid of malignant substances such as bacteria, viruses, cancer cells or foreign tissues. The power of your immune system is represented by its ability to produce cells specialized in marking, surrounding and destroying potential threats. But it’s important to know that the functioning of your immune system changes over time. When a baby is born, its immune system is immature. It then develops and learns to fight off pathogens into adulthood, and declines with old age¹. Read on to find out how your immunity changes over time.

Collage of photos presenting children and parents

Childhood

A newborn baby’s immune system is naturally suppressed, which makes infants more susceptible to certain infections and diseases. The reason for this suppression is the child’s development during pregnancy¹. Breastmilk is the best way to support a baby’s developing immune system. It is also important to get babies vaccinated on schedule to protect them from various diseases.

In childhood your immune system is not yet mature enough to fight the majority of pathogens – and that is why you get sick more often. But given time, the cells in your immune system get better at recognizing viruses, foreign particles, microbes and microorganisms. It also “learns” to fight infections more efficiently, especially if you live a healthy lifestyle and maintain proper hygiene. At this age you can also add vitamin and mineral supplements like Redoxon to your diet², but it’s important to remember that a healthy lifestyle must include a healthy, balanced diet that cannot be replaced by supplements.

Adolescence

In adolescence your body undergoes constant changes caused by hormones. We all know that hormones are responsible for our development from children into adults, but hormones also affect the immune system and can make teenagers more at risk of certain autoimmune diseases. Accelerated bone and tissue growth in adolescents also means they may need more vitamins and minerals to support healthy development.

Redoxon® Triple Action

with vitamin C, D and Zinc

Learn more

Adults

In maturity your body’s natural defences are fully developed, but stress and lifestyle can begin to affect your immunity. That’s why it’s important to form good habits, making immune support a part of your daily life. Healthy diet, regular exercise, quality sleep and relaxation are all natural immune boosters³. You can also continue to take a vitamin and mineral supplement as part of your healthy lifestyle.

In older age your immune system might not work as well as before⁴. This is a complex process, but among its key effects is the reduction in the numbers of immune cells produced by your body. This means slower healing from injuries and slower reaction to infections that can make you more susceptible to illness. This is when a healthy lifestyle becomes more important than ever: healthy diet with lots of vitamins and minerals and regular exercise will help you enjoy your health for longer!

Grandfather skates with her granddaughter

References:

Simon AK, Hollander GA, McMichael A, Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4707740/
Gombart AF, Pierre A, Maggini S. A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System-Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection. Nutrients 2020;12.
How to prevent infections. Harvard Medical School, 2016. Accessed 10/02/2020, at https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-prevent-infections.
Montecino-Rodriguez E, Berent-Maoz B, Dorshkind K, Causes, consequences and reversal of immune system aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3582124/

Build your immunity

Looking for ways to strengthen your immunity? Check out helpful articles on supporting the immune system and learn how to build your resilience with Redoxon!