The Mighty Platelet!
Platelets are little cells that scan the bloodstream looking for rogue cells and invaders to target and destroy. They are an important part of our immune defense. Usually clotting a cut in the skin is all they get credit for. It turns out they are big players, regulating inflammation and infections
This is what they do:
1. Inflammation Managers: Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection. Platelets are among the first cells responding to sites of tissue injury and infection. When tissues are damaged, platelets are attracted to the injury to form a plug, preventing blood loss. Additionally, they recruit other signaling chemicals: cytokines and chemokines. This is how platelets manage to modulate other immune cells arriving in the problem area.
Platelets will interact with white blood cells specific to infection, called neutrophils and macrophages. This bolsters the immune cells effectiveness to surround and destroy any and all bad guys.
2. Bacterial Defense: Platelets are armed with chemical warfare. They release chemical weapons called proteins and peptides that destroy the bacterial cell directly.In a way, these chemicals are the body’s natural antimicrobials, or antibiotics. This is like having an army of cells ready to combat foreign invaders!
3. Viral Destroyer: Viruses and Prions (smaller than viruses) are tricky and sometimes undetectable things, hiding in the tissues, disguising themselves, and fooling our immune system. Platelets are built and fully armed to take them on. When a viral invasion is detected by our blood cells as a foreigner, special chemical signals are released that both activate other immune cells and destroy the virus.
Platelets cause the immune response to stay organized and modulated, making sure it's strong enough to fight the infection without getting out of control and damaging normal cells.
Conclusion:
Platelets are not just passive players in our bloodstream; they are active defenders against inflammation and infection. When platelet levels are not correctly balanced,the body struggles to function normally and dis-ease develops. A simple blood test for under $50 can check your levels.
They help:
1. regulate inflammation
2. directly kill bacteria
3. assist in combating viral invaders
Without these tiny avengers, our immune system wouldn't be as great at keeping us healthy.
At Dr. Doreo’s office, we improve immune health with TruDOSE, a technology that concentrates your body’s platelets so we can reintroduce them into the bloodstream for greater regulation and activity of the immune system!
Visit our TruDOSE website at:
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