The immune system: more than a guardian of health
Our immune system is our first line of defense against disease. But did you know that it could also be influencing our most intimate decisions, such as choosing a partner? Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a set of genes that code for proteins found on the surface of our cells. These proteins help our immune system distinguish between the body’s own cells and foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria.
In humans, MHC is known as Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). And it is precisely this HLA that could be playing a crucial role in sexual attraction.
The chemistry of attraction: the role of smell
Scientific studies suggest that our sense of smell can detect small differences in other people’s HLA. And these differences could be sending unconscious signals to our brain, influencing our perception of attraction.
In other words, we might be choosing our partners in part because of the odors they emit, which are linked to their immune systems.
Why do we prefer couples with a different HLA?
The theory is that by choosing partners with a different HLA than our own, we increase the chances of having children with a stronger and more diverse immune system. This genetic diversity would allow them to better resist a wide range of diseases.
According to anthropology @izanami.es: “We are only attracted to people who have a prepared immune system, with great strength in diseases other than those of our immune system.” So, while attraction is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors, science shows us that our immune system might be playing a bigger role than we imagined. Next time you feel an inexplicable attraction to someone, remember that it could be your immune system that’s sending out signals.
Vozpópuli, as an Amazon affiliate, earns income from qualifying purchases. The inclusion of links in no way influences the editorial independence of this newspaper: its editors select and analyze products freely, according to their criteria and specialized knowledge.
Source: www.vozpopuli.com