Why Your Immune System Needs The Rainforest?
For millions of years, the immune system of our ancestors evolved with its natural environment. There are gazillions of viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms out and about to which all living beings are being exposed to on a daily basis. Some are beneficial and harmful, as a result life learned to collaborate with the benign ones (there are more non-human cells in your body than human cells) and to defend itself to the harmful ones (the immune system of healthy living organisms is still the most sophisticated security system in the world). Because of the process of coevolution, life learned to immunize itself to infectious diseases and the immune system of the forest dwellers evolved in concert with the immune system of the rainforest.
For instance, studies with students and elderly show that spending time in nature significantly reduces inflammation. Additionally, research from the Nippon Medical School in Japan shows that time spent in rainforests increases the number of natural killer cells, which promote our immune defense, while expanding the functional activity of these antiviral cells. What is more, the research also showed that forest visits increase the amount of intracellular anticancer proteins and this effect lasted for a full week after the trip. None of these effects were observed after city trips.
Other studies show that natural aromas secreted by evergreen trees, known as phytoncide, are associated with improvements in the activity of human frontline immune defenders. Nature’s health benefits are thus wide-ranging and strong associations between access to nature and longer, healthier lives are increasingly revealed by science. A study in Environmental Health Perspectives of 2016 for example, found a 12% lower mortality rate in people that live in close proximity to nature, even after correcting for socio-demographic background and smoking habits, with the biggest improvements related to reduced risk of death from cancer, lung disease or kidney disease.
There’s no doubt that your immune system needs the forest. A healthy rainforest, not a sterile park or plantation. During these times of political upheaval and social distress is the perfect moment to reflect on what you can do to improve your immune system. Within every urban city or rural neighborhood, seeking out a park or forest would be a great start, because aligning with Mother Nature is a far better option for your health than the current healthcare system.
Commentary:
Most of you are aware that I've been advocating for all melanated people to live in harmony with the four elements of nature. This article is another confirmation of why it's essential in order to restore health and sustain life. In addition, the season has arrived to initiate returning back to your natural habitat in the tropical region of the world. If you resonate with this objective, then feel free to explore the program below to help you get started with this timely journey!
Learn more about the Edenic Initiative program to experience a tropical lifestyle:
