NEW YORK, May 23 (UPI) -- It may not be the mythical fountain of youth, but the strength of the body's immune system could hold the key to a healthy, long life, experts told UPI.
The concept of so-called "immune resilience" has gained traction in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened awareness of the importance of a strong immune system, according to geriatrician Dr. George Kuchel, director of the Center on Aging at the University of Connecticut.
A resilient immune system is one that is strong and is able to minimize inflammation anywhere in the body -- particularly in vital organs such as the heart, lungs and digestive tract -- in response to disease-causing stressors, Kuchel told UPI in a phone interview.
Stressors include infectious diseases, or viruses such as COVID-19 or the flu, as well as certain cells that cause some types of cancer, he added.
A healthy immune system enables the body to effectively fight back against these stressors and slow the progression of aging and life-threatening health conditions, Kuchel said.
