Disease resistance is the ability of an organism to limit the negative effects of pathogens and infectious diseases. There are several ways organisms can develop resistance:
Also called natural or native immunity, innate immunity refers to the natural biological defenses an organism is born with that provide general protection. Examples include:
| Defense Mechanism | Description |
|---|---|
| Skin | Physical barrier that prevents pathogens from entering the body |
| Mucus Membranes | Secrete mucus that traps and removes pathogens |
| Cough Reflex | Expels pathogens and irritants from the respiratory tract |
| Stomach Acid | Destroys pathogens ingested with food or water |
Also called adaptive or specific immunity, acquired immunity develops over time as an organism is exposed to diseases. It relies on the immune system recognizing specific pathogens and mounting special responses. Acquired immunity has memory, allowing stronger future responses to the same pathogen. There are two types:
Resulting from rare genetic mutations that provide enhanced immune function. Some ethnic groups have evolved genetic resistances to certain diseases.
Vaccination is one of the most effective modern methods for developing acquired immunity and disease resistance without the risks of contracting infectious diseases. Vaccines contain inactivated or weakened forms of a pathogen that trigger an immune response and memory without causing full-blown illness.
| Vaccine-Preventable Diseases | Description |
|---|---|
| Measles | Highly contagious viral disease that can cause severe complications |
| Mumps | Viral disease that affects the salivary glands and can cause infertility |
| Rubella | Viral disease that can cause birth defects if contracted during pregnancy |
| Chickenpox | Viral disease that causes an itchy rash and can lead to shingles later in life |
Most vaccine-preventable diseases used to widely infect populations until the introduction of routine childhood vaccination programs.
At Rebalance Hormone Clinic, we provide cutting-edge genetic testing to screen patients for hereditary risk factors and disease susceptibilities. Our naturopathic doctors can then make personalized lifestyle, diet, and supplementation recommendations for strengthening the immune system and building lifelong disease resistance. We offer both children's and adult immunization services, including the latest approved vaccines against high-risk illnesses like COVID-19, flu, tetanus, and shingles. Ask us about vaccine options to protect yourself and loved ones this season!
Building robust disease resistance is important for public health as well as personal wellbeing. Proper acquired immunity, whether from natural infection or vaccination, along with healthy lifestyle choices creates a strong defense against most contagious illnesses. However, individuals with genetic or acquired immunodeficiencies may need special care to avoid infections. Ongoing research continues to deepen our understanding of the complex immune system and pathways to improved resistance. Modern medicine has already made great strides in preventing countless unnecessary deaths from infectious diseases, and further advancements in immunology and vaccination hold promise for even greater protection in the future.