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Understanding Your Immune System

An evidence based overview of how your immune system works and why supporting immune health requires a root cause, whole person approach.

About This Resource

Your immune system is a complex network that protects your body from infections and disease. This resource draws from NIH research to explain immune function in a clear, accessible way.

Why We Share It

At Nepute Wellness, we approach immune health as part of a comprehensive, root cause wellness strategy. Understanding how your immune system works is the first step toward supporting it effectively.

Your Immune System: More Than Defense

Most people think of the immune system only when they get sick. But research has shown that immune function is deeply connected to overall health, influencing inflammation, healing, energy, and even mood. At Nepute Wellness, supporting immune health is not just about avoiding illness; it is about building a resilient foundation for total wellness.

How the Immune System Works

The immune system consists of two main branches: innate immunity (the rapid, general defense you are born with) and adaptive immunity (the targeted response that develops over time). Together, these systems work to identify, target, and neutralize threats while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Key components include white blood cells, antibodies, the lymphatic system, the spleen, bone marrow, and the thymus. The gut also plays a critical role: research published in Clinical and Experimental Immunology suggests that approximately 70% of immune cells reside in the gastrointestinal tract, reinforcing the gut-immune connection.

Root Causes of Immune Challenges

When immune function is compromised, the root causes often extend beyond simple exposure to pathogens. Research suggests several common factors that may influence immune health: chronic stress (which may suppress immune function), poor sleep (which is critical for immune cell production), nutritional deficiencies (especially vitamins D, C, and zinc), gut microbiome imbalance, environmental toxin exposure, and chronic inflammation.

This is why a root cause approach matters. Simply boosting the immune system without addressing underlying factors like stress, gut health, or toxin burden may not produce lasting results.

The Nepute Wellness Approach

Our approach to immune health begins with comprehensive assessment: “Test, Don’t Guess.” We look at blood panels, gut health markers, stress indicators, and nutritional status to understand what may be affecting your immune function at the root level. From there, we develop personalized strategies that address the underlying causes rather than just the symptoms.

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH. Public domain material used with attribution.

Selfcare as Healthcare: supporting your immune system starts with understanding what it actually needs.

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Also In This Collection:

Your Digestive System and How It Works
Understanding Stress and Your Body
Personal Health Inventory: What Matters to You
Knowledge Is Power

Wisdom Is Applying It To Your Life.

Approximately 70% of immune cells reside in the gastrointestinal tract, reinforcing the critical connection between gut health and immune function.
Vighi G et al. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 2008
Simply boosting the immune system without addressing underlying factors like stress, gut health, or toxin burden may not produce lasting results.
Nepute Wellness

Learn More About Understanding Your Immune System

Understanding Your Immune System

Understanding Your Immune System

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Hormonal imbalances are addressed through comprehensive testing to identify root causes such as nutrient deficiencies, gut health issues, stress, or metabolic dysfunction. Treatment may include nutritional support, lifestyle modifications, targeted supplementation, and addressing underlying factors affecting hormone production and balance.

Nepute Wellness operates outside the traditional insurance model. We believe the insurance system often limits care to symptom management rather than addressing root causes. Our approach focuses on comprehensive diagnostic testing and personalized care plans that insurance-based practices typically cannot offer.

We present transparent pricing through the Health Investment Plan during your Day Two Report of Findings, so you know exactly what your care involves and why. Many patients find that investing in root-cause care saves significantly compared to years of managed symptoms.

IV vitamin therapy delivers essential nutrients directly into your bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for more efficient absorption. At Nepute Wellness, IV therapy may be recommended as part of your personalized care plan based on your test results.

Common IV formulations may include vitamins, minerals, and amino acids tailored to address specific deficiencies identified through blood work and other diagnostics. This therapy is designed to support your body’s healing process alongside other modalities like corrective chiropractic and neurological balancing.

You need a device with camera and microphone (computer, tablet, or smartphone), stable internet connection, and a quiet, private space. We use secure video conferencing – you’ll receive a link after booking. No special software downloads required. Test your connection before your appointment to ensure smooth communication.
Functional medicine has been practiced for decades, with roots in systems biology and integrative medicine. The Institute for Functional Medicine was founded in 1991. Dr. Eric Nepute has been practicing functional medicine approaches for over 20 years, combining it with chiropractic care and advanced diagnostics.

For your first visit, we recommend bringing a list of current medications and supplements, any recent lab results or medical records you’d like to share, and comfortable clothing for your physical

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Absolutely love Dr. Nepute! Very caring and very direct. A Dr. who truly is educated and is very passionate about the medical field and his patients.
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Always feel much better after leaving this office. The team does a great job with helping relieve pain and getting me back to living.
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Dr Eric Nepute and staff are amazing and truly care about getting to the( Root ) of what is going on and get you the help you need. Finally! after years of health issues I now know my root cause and getting some help and feeling great already ❤️
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Dr. Eric is amazing! He takes time to answer all your questions and finds the root problem! His staff is super friendly and helpful too!
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Every staff member, every doctor and especially Dr. Nepute are some of the most upbeat, caring, professional individuals you’ll ever find in one place. Dr Nepute has created a culture with his staff where everyone there operates from a perspective of helping every patient live their lives with health and wellness. Whether you need a simple adjustment or you’re dealing with something more serious like an autoimmune disease or even cancer doctor Nepute and his staff can help. I would highly recommend anyone to go there if there’s ever an issue with anything in their health.
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Appreciate this Dr & staff so much! Real healing takes time & work but it’s worth it! Staff is so knowledgeable & helpful & patient!
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Awesome staff. They have helped me turn my health around. I am down from 6 prescriptions to just 1. Feeling great!
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Thank you for your help And I am doing better you are amazing above the others please get a new nurse
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Employees are always so nice and helpful. The chiropractors are awesome and remember different issues you have that need adjusting.
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This place literally saved me from having shoulder surgery. What was going to be a year or even career ending surgery 8 weeks later I will be racing on the dirt tracks across the Midwest again. The staff here is PHENOMENAL and 100% Professional in every aspect of this journey. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
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Functional Medicine Clinic in St. Louis, MO

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