What's Up Docs? Does your immune system need boosting?
10 snips
Feb 17, 2026 
Professor Daniel Davis, immunologist at Imperial College London and author of Self-Defence, explains how immune cells spot trouble and why people vary in susceptibility. He critiques simplistic 'immune boosting' claims. Topics include antigen recognition, autoimmune risks, vitamin D guidance, stress effects, and practical lifestyle priorities like sleep and exercise.
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Immune System Is A Whole-Body Network
- The immune system is a distributed, complex network involving many cells and signals across the body.
- Every cell can report damage or infection and contributes to immune defence in different ways.
Autoimmunity Often Starts Years Earlier
- Autoimmunity arises when the immune system mistakenly targets normal body components.
- Triggers may include past responses to germs that resemble our own tissues, making causes hard to trace.
Immune Strength Varies By Genes
- People differ markedly in immune responses because immune genes vary more than most genes.
- Genetic differences mean no one is universally 'stronger' or 'weaker' across all infections.
