What are "Cytokines"

Today we talk about "Cytokines" . . . which are kind of like the "hormones" of our "immune system".

You see . . . "cytokines" are called the "unsung heroes" of the immune system.

And I bet many of you didn't even know that they existed.

Well, guess what . . . "cytokines" often act as the first responders to a pathogen infection like this virus or an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria.

"Cytokines" are molecules that allow our cells to talk to each other ( a communication highway and signaling system) and are crucial for a healthy immune system to function properly.

But . . . when the body has "too many" cytokines, it can have a "negative" effect and result in what's known as a "cytokine storm".

Now . . . I know we've spoken about "cytokines" in previous Health tips and even a "cytokine storm" . . . but in today's world and upset . . . I think it needs repeating.

"Cytokines" are a large group of proteins, peptides or glycoproteins that are secreted by specific cells of the immune system.

And "cytokines" are "signaling molecules" that "regulate" "immunity" and "INFLAMMATION".

Now . . . there are 33 different types of "cytokines" in the body . . . but we're going to focus on just 2 for today.

Okay . . . so as I stated . . . "cytokines" are the "regulators" of the body's "response" to infection, immune responses, "inflammation" and trauma.

And "cytokines" can be "good" or "bad" in the body. They're "good", when stimulating the immune system to fight a foreign pathogen like this "virus", "bad" bacteria or attacking a tumor. These "good" cytokines can also reduce an immune response as in with patients, with multiple sclerosis.

So the "good" "cytokines" serve to REDUCE "inflammation" and promote healing. These are "anti-inflammatory" cytokines.

On the flipside . . . some "cytokines" act to make disease "worse" and these are called "proinflammatory" cytokines. And these are the ones that cause a "cytokine storm", which allows this "virus" and "bad" bacteria to "RELICATE" in the human body.

Are you following me so far????

Well . . . guess what??? It's not just this "virus" or an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria that can run amuck in the body when there's a "cytokine storm" . . .

The "inflammation" from this storm can also lead to arthritis, weight issues, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's just to mention a few. And as we know . . . "inflammation" is the fire in the body that we cannot see or feel, which makes it a "SILENT KILLER"!.

And tomorrow we'll continue

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