Oct 12, 2021
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy at any Age Part 2: Immune Health - Bone Marrow: how to stimulate it to work better? - Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC, Chiropractor
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue present inside our bones. It is responsible for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The lymphocytes produced in these tissues play an important role in the immune system.
The bone marrow is active in newborn babies and new cells are produced continuously, but as you grow into adulthood, the marrow inside your feet, legs, arms, and hands stop producing new marrow cells. At the adult stage, the active marrow is found inside the hip, spine, shoulder bones, breastbone, ribs, and skull. However, the hip and spine have the richest content of bone marrow cells.
What is the role of the bone marrow?
Like we said earlier, our bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The blood cells start off as stem cells – young immature cells inside the marrow. Once they develop, they do not live for too long. That’s the reason why our bone marrow continuously produce all three types of blood cells to keep us healthy.
The red blood cells are mainly involved in the transport of oxygen and nutrients. These cells also get rid of carbon dioxide which is given out through the lungs as you breathe out.
The platelets are cells that support blood coagulation to stop bleeding at body sites that have been injured or cut.
The white blood cells are mainly involved in the immune response of the body. They help fight against infection to improve health and overall wellbeing.
There are many types of white blood cells in the body, including monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. These cells fight against invading viruses, bacteria, or fungi to destroy the infection. However, each of them differs in appearance. Other type of white blood cells – basophils and eosinophils- respond to allergens that can invade your body.
Role of the bone marrow in the immune system
Your immune system generally works to protect your body from disease. The lymph nodes- which are small glands scattered throughout the body- are made inside the bone marrow, and once they are made, lymphocytes travel between each of these nodes through channels called lymphatics.
The lymphatic channels lead to a duct that is emptied into a blood vessel and the lymphocytes enter the blood through these ducts.
There are basically three types of lymphocytes:
- B-lymphocytes (B-cells): These cells make antibodies that attach to the surfaces of pathogens. These antibodies stick to molecules called antigens which binds to the surface of the microbe. The antibody-antigen bond triggers the growth of B-cells, which helps to fight infection.
- T-lymphocytes (T-cells): The T-cells mature in a small organ called the “thymus,” which is located just behind the breastbone. The T-cells support B-cells in making antibodies to fight viruses, bacteria, or other microbes. T-cells actually bind to the antigen on the surface of the microbe and engulf and destroy the pathogen directly.
- Natural killer (NK) cells: These are lymphocytes that attack cells that have been infected by a virus.
The bone marrow plays a huge role in your immune system as it is the site of the production of blood cells that produce antibodies against the action of pathogens, thereby improving your immunity.
You can visit Dr. Jason Jones at our chiropractic office in Elizabeth City to learn about natural ways to boost your bone marrow function and get chiropractic adjustment to optimize the function of your body.