IN CONVERSATION WITH Dr LERATO RAMETSE- SANGENI, CLINICAN SCIENTIST IMMUNOLOGIST
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In recent years, conversations around health have increasingly
focused on the idea of “boosting” the immune system. While this
framing has gained popularity, particularly in the wake of global health
crises, immunology experts caution that the immune system is far
more complex than a simple on/off switch that needs to be
strengthened.
At its core, the immune system is responsible for protecting the body
against harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and other foreign
invaders. However, its effectiveness depends not only on its ability to
respond aggressively to threats, but also on its capacity to regulate
itself, to know when to activate and when to stand down. This delicate
balance is known as immune regulation.
When the immune system is well-regulated, it can distinguish between
harmful invaders and the body’s own healthy cells. But when this
balance is disrupted, a state referred to as immune dysregulation, the
consequences can be serious. In some cases, the immune system
may become underactive, leaving the body vulnerable to infections. In
others, it may become overactive or misdirected, attacking the body’s
own tissues. This is the basis of autoimmune diseases, a group of
conditions that include Type 1 diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid
arthritis.
The causes of immune dysregulation are complex and often involve a
10:35
combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers.
Factors such as chronic stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, infections,
and environmental exposures can all influence how the immune
system functions over time.
There is also growing concern globally about the rising prevalence of
autoimmune diseases, particularly among younger populations. While
improved diagnostic tools have contributed to increased detection,
researchers are also exploring how modern lifestyles and
environmental changes may be contributing to this trend.
Understanding immune balance is therefore not only a scientific issue,
but a public health concern. It challenges the simplified narrative of
stronger is better and instead highlights the importance of a well-
regulated, responsive, and adaptable immune system.
This conversation aims to unpack what immune balance really means,
what happens when regulation fails, and why these matters in
everyday life, particularly for young people navigating health in
increasingly complex environments.
focused on the idea of “boosting” the immune system. While this
framing has gained popularity, particularly in the wake of global health
crises, immunology experts caution that the immune system is far
more complex than a simple on/off switch that needs to be
strengthened.
At its core, the immune system is responsible for protecting the body
against harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and other foreign
invaders. However, its effectiveness depends not only on its ability to
respond aggressively to threats, but also on its capacity to regulate
itself, to know when to activate and when to stand down. This delicate
balance is known as immune regulation.
When the immune system is well-regulated, it can distinguish between
harmful invaders and the body’s own healthy cells. But when this
balance is disrupted, a state referred to as immune dysregulation, the
consequences can be serious. In some cases, the immune system
may become underactive, leaving the body vulnerable to infections. In
others, it may become overactive or misdirected, attacking the body’s
own tissues. This is the basis of autoimmune diseases, a group of
conditions that include Type 1 diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid
arthritis.
The causes of immune dysregulation are complex and often involve a
10:35
combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers.
Factors such as chronic stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, infections,
and environmental exposures can all influence how the immune
system functions over time.
There is also growing concern globally about the rising prevalence of
autoimmune diseases, particularly among younger populations. While
improved diagnostic tools have contributed to increased detection,
researchers are also exploring how modern lifestyles and
environmental changes may be contributing to this trend.
Understanding immune balance is therefore not only a scientific issue,
but a public health concern. It challenges the simplified narrative of
stronger is better and instead highlights the importance of a well-
regulated, responsive, and adaptable immune system.
This conversation aims to unpack what immune balance really means,
what happens when regulation fails, and why these matters in
everyday life, particularly for young people navigating health in
increasingly complex environments.
