The ABC of Immunology (5)

Very rarely,

The Sun and The Moon
influence our immunity 

people realise that our immunity 

is closely tied to 

the day and night!

In other words,

if we do not follow 

the law of the Sun and the Moon, 

very likely we will have compromised immunity.

Mainly, it's due to 

the unTIMEly rest and stress.

(a) Untimely Rest 

This refers to 

sleeping/resting too much 

during the day or 

waking up too late 

in the morning (1hr after sunrise). 

During day time, 

our body is designed to operate mainly 

in sympathetic nervous mode

when Th2 Immunity (or Extracellular Immunity) predominates. 

When we sleep/rest too much during the day, 

our body switches to parasympathetic nervous mode too frequently, 

rendering the extracellular  defence compromised 

(due low immuno metabolism).

We will then tend to get immuno-suppressive type of diseases.

(b) Untimely Stress

This refers to 

working very hard after sundown, 

sleeping late, 

stress-induced poor quality sleep/insomnia.

After sundown, 

our body goes into parasympathetic nervous mode 

to activate Th1 immunity (intracellular immunity). 

If we engage with work stress 

or physical stress (including rigorous exercise)

during evening time, 

our body will switch back 

to sympathetic nervous mode,

compromising Th1 immunity

which is important to fight

viral, parasitic infection and cancers.

When Th1 dominates the day time 

(while it should have been Th2 by default), 

due to resting too much,

one tends to get immune disorders like:

Multiple Sceloris

Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Irritable Bowel Disease

When Th2 dominates the night time 

(while it should have been Th1 by default), 

due stress after sundown/overnight

one tends to get immune disorders like:

Allergies

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 

Cancer

Therefore, 

in order to have a healthy immune system,

other than diet,

we also ought to watch over our lifestyle.

Work-Life balance 

ensuring we don't work after sundown

can help us wade off or recover from viral infection and cancers.

Keeping ourselves aspired and motivated

will reduce the chance of 

over-relaxation during the day,

and reduce chance of organ-specific autoimmune disorders.

Yet in another post to come, we will discuss how immunity sometimes can be hijacked leading to life risking tragedy.

Meanwhile, 

let's learn to live by the Rhythm of 

the Sun and the Moon.

Well wishes,

Kee Yew

#immunology #Th1 #Th2 #cancer #autoimmunity

{Learning Holistic Wellness for Wisdom and Compassion}