Microscopic creatures—including bacteria, fungi and viruses—can make you ill. But what you may not realize is that trillions of microbes are living in and on your body right now. Most don’t harm you at all. In fact, they help you digest food, protect against infection and even maintain your reproductive health.

The most common types are bacteria, viruses and fungi. There are also microbes called protozoa.

Microorganisms are found in each of the three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Microbes within the domains Bacteria and Archaea are all prokaryotes (their cells lack a nucleus), whereas microbes in the domain Eukarya are eukaryotes (their cells have a nucleus).

Beneficial Microorganisms

• Rhizosphere.
• Prebiotics.
• Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria.
• Microorganisms.
• Microbiome.
• Fermentation.
• Fungi.
• Probiotics.

For example, each human body hosts 10 microorganisms for every human cell, and these microbes contribute to digestion, produce vitamin K, promote development of the immune system, and detoxify harmful chemicals. And, of course, microbes are essential to making many foods we enjoy, such as bread, cheese, and wine.

Microbes cause infectious diseases such as flu and measles. There is also strong evidence that microbes may contribute to many non–infectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Different diseases are caused by different types of micro-organisms.

Researchers further found that molecules on the surfaces of the spores bound to molecules on the surfaces of B cells. This binding is what activated the B cells to divide and multiply. B cells are one of the key components of the immune system. They produce antibodies that fight harmful viruses and bacteria.

Findings help to explain how microbes programme a developing immune system. Exposure to germs in childhood is thought to help strengthen the immune system and protect children from developing allergies and asthma, but the pathways by which this occurs have been unclear.

9 Ways to Boost Your Body’s Natural Defenses

1. Get enough sleep. Sleep and immunity are closely tied.
2. Eat more whole plant foods.
3. Eat more healthy fats.
4. Eat more fermented foods or take a probiotic supplement.
5. Limit added sugars.
6. Engage in moderate exercise.
7. Stay hydrated.
8. Manage your stress levels.

Tests used to diagnose an immune disorder include: Blood tests. Blood tests can determine if you have normal levels of infection-fighting proteins (immunoglobulin) in your blood and measure the levels of blood cells and immune system cells. Abnormal numbers of certain cells can indicate an immune system defect.

15 Foods That Boost the Immune System

• Citrus fruits.
• Red bell peppers.
• Broccoli.
• Garlic.
• Ginger.
• Spinach.
• Yogurt.
• Almonds.

Vitamin C is perhaps the most popular supplement taken to protect against infection due to its important role in immune health. This vitamin supports the function of various immune cells and enhances their ability to protect against infection.