In many ways, the overlap between the health of our brains and the health of our immune systems gets to core aspects of who we are. Even neurogenesis and neuroplasticity are thought to function under a degree of immune control. Microglial cells (resident brain macrophages) are immune cells native to the brain that are implicated in memory, cognition, and even mood.
This information is profound, because it means that by influencing our immune function, we can change the way that our brains work, and in so doing, take an active role in positively influencing our health destiny. Through sleep, exercise, and other lifestyle changes, we may be capable of altering the balance of immune activation within our brains for the better. Nutrition that focuses on restoring healthy immunity using macro-, micro-, and phytonutrients may also have a positive effect on brain function.