By Gabe Sanders PhD, NSCA-CSCS
When we think about aging, we often consider the visible changes it brings: gray hair, wrinkles, and perhaps a slower step. But aging affects systems within our bodies that we can't see with the naked eye, such as our immune system.
Specifically, our adaptive immunity, a crucial defense mechanism that fights off infections and diseases. Our adaptive immunity significantly changes as we grow older, impacting our overall health in ways we might not immediately recognize.
Adaptive immunity has various cell types
Adaptive immunity is like our body's highly trained special forces unit, capable of remembering past invaders (like viruses and bacteria) and launching targeted attacks to protect us. It's a complex system involving various cell types, including B and T cells. These cells can also cause inflammation and produce antibodies, which are like the body's own natural medicine against invaders.
As we age, this system starts to wear down in a process known as “immunosenescence.” The B and T cells become less numerous and less diverse, making it harder for our bodies to fight off new infections or diseases. This decline also leads to an increase in inflammation and a higher likelihood of the body mistakenly attacking itself, a condition known as autoimmunity.
Adaptive immunity and atherosclerosis
One of the diseases closely linked to these changes in our immune system is atherosclerosis, a major contributor to heart disease. Atherosclerosis involves the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on artery walls, which can restrict or limit blood flow. Understanding the intricate dance between aging and adaptive immunity in the context of atherosclerosis is more than an academic pursuit. It holds the key to potentially groundbreaking interventions that could target these age-related immune changes.
Exercise rejuvenate our adaptive immunity
Exercise is the most valuable way to rejuvenate or boost our adaptive immunity and with exercise, we might be able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improve the quality of life as we age. In essence, unraveling these complex interactions and exercising daily is not just about adding years to our life, but life to our years.
Article’s Source
Kawashima, Keigo, et al. “Priming and Maintenance of Adaptive Immunity in the Liver.” Annual Review of Immunology 42 (2024).
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