★Simplified Chinese rights sold.
★English Sample available.

An essay that sets the record straight and counterbalances arguments
used to market so-called “natural” medicine.
The author uses simple language to explain our immune system responses and to address popular health concerns, especially at a time when many people question the effectiveness of vaccines.

While it is often said that a
healthy body can help strengthen
immunity, a green tea
smoothie won’t help your
cells fight antigens. In fact,
scientists keep finding that
the immune system is more
complicated and more fascinating
than we think.
As you read these words, your
immune system is firing on all
cylinders, rallying whole armies
of lymphocytes, basophils,
neutrophils or NK cells to keep
your body healthy. These cells
work around the clock to recognize
and defend against dust,
pathogens, viruses, bacteria and
allergens that come into contact
with our bodies on a daily basis.
What is less known is that the
immune system is also involved
in fighting diseases like diabetes,
Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease
and certain cancers.
But how do these soldiers operate?
Can we really boost our immunity
with new treatments or
vaccines?

AUDREY-ANNE LEBLANC is a
microbiologist and science educator.
A graduate of York University
in Toronto, she is pursuing her
research in biology as part of a
research project at the Université
du Québec à Trois-Rivières.