The Thymus: Mediator Of Well-being And Our Immune System

To strengthen the functions of the thymus, it is essential to take care of our diet, exercise and manage sources stress to also improve the response of our immune system.

The thymus is this organ to which we have historically attributed the greatest spiritual dimensions. For many people it is like a biological center of power where this 4th chakra would be concentrated. According to tradition, it represents the heart, or the capacity to love.

The name ( thýmos ) comes from the Greek and precisely means “heart, soul, desire…”. In addition, this organ is located in a prominent place, just in the center of our chest, behind the breastbone.

It is probably for this reason that it has always had this magical connotation in many cultures, but far from a scientific approach.

But is there something true about all of these ideas? Is this tiny gland so important to our health and physical and emotional well-being?

We are facing a gland. Like all those found in our body, it plays a particular and essential role for health.

In this case, it is interesting to know that inside the thymus a certain type of very important cells matures: T lymphocytes.

These cells are essential for our immune system. This is why it is interesting to have more information about this gland which is so important but sometimes little understood.

Is it true that the thymus is involved in our positive emotions?

By looking at the bibliography and the articles carried out about the thymus, we discover that they present, for the most part, an unscientific approach.

Much of this information resides at the level of the spiritual prism. This slightly masks the true function of this organ which in itself is already as interesting as it is important.

For starters, the thymus does not intervene in our emotions and does not enhance our happiness. What it actually does is take care of our good immune response.

The functions of the thymus

• The thymus is not a single structure. But an organ formed by two lobules located on the mediastinum, just in front of our heart.
• What it actually does is receive the immature T cells from the bone marrow.
• There, and in this favorable environment, it will allow these organisms necessary for our immune system to mature in order to be able to fight against foreign cells and pathogens that could attack us.
• It also achieves this process through positive selection. That is, cells that are not fit will “cleanse” themselves thanks to this type of macrophage.
• Once the fittest T cells have developed fully and are fully capable and functional, they will be released into the bloodstream to “kill” pathogens.
• In addition, and this is also important, they will activate the B cells to produce more antibodies and store “memories” of how they coped with certain infections.

The thymus changes over time

Another idea that has become popular about the lymphoid system is that it grows or shrinks from time to time depending on our emotions.

This is not true. The thymus is larger during our childhood, but when we reach puberty it shrinks. Its tissues are gradually replaced by adipose tissue.

Is this negative or dangerous? Actually no, it is a simple natural process which does not involve any risk for our health.

The reason ? T lymphopoiesis or the maturation of T cells occurs all the time as a necessary process for our immune response.

What diseases are associated with this gland?

The thymus, like any other gland in our body, can become inflamed, lose its functions, suffer from the development of cancer cells or the presence of cysts.

Let’s look at this in more detail:

• The 22q11 micro deletion, also called DiGeorge syndrome, is an unusual disease which consists of a deficiency in the immune response and the appearance of small cysts.
• In thymus hyperplasia, on the other hand, patients present with lymphoid follicles inside the thymus. It is a disease derived from Lupus.
• Thymoma is another kind of tumor that appears mostly in women. They can be benign or malignant.

The rules to follow to take care of the thymus

As we have seen, the thymus gland is a little known or poorly understood gland. But in the end; it is essential for our well-being and for a strong immune system with a good response capacity.

Below we offer you some simple strategies to strengthen its functions:

• Eat fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
• Try to eat as natural as possible, using industrial products or products already cooked, rich in saturated fat, preservatives, white sugar, etc.
• Foods rich in vitamin E, such as avocados or wheat germ are very good.
• Eat fruits rich in vitamin C.
• Broccoli, garlic and onion are also very good.
• Consume turmeric.
• Green tea is also recommended.
• Opt for fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids.
• It is also important not to neglect vitamin D.
• Do gentle exercises every day that will improve oxygenation and good circulation.

To conclude, a healthy lifestyle, for which we will learn to manage the sources of stress, will undoubtedly reverse the well-being of the thymus and our whole organism. Put them into practice.