We have the all-important immune system to thank for protecting our bodies from all kinds of pathogens — everything from bacteria and viruses to cancer cells and toxins to parasitic worms. The immune system is a hard-working, tightly orchestrated collection of organs, substances, and cells that produces pathogen-fighting antibodies to keep us healthy. As we age, our immune systems weaken, making us susceptible to life-threatening illness and infection (influenza and pneumonia, for example, which together are the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the fifth leading cause for those over 65).
Now, scientists have pinpointed a reason why our immune systems eventually flake out on us.
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