scholarly journals How to Tackle the Relationship between Autoimmune Diseases and Diet: Well Begun Is Half-Done

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3956
Author(s):  
Camilla Barbero Mazzucca ◽  
Davide Raineri ◽  
Giuseppe Cappellano ◽  
Annalisa Chiocchetti

Nutrition and immunity are closely related, and the immune system is composed of the most highly energy-consuming cells in the body. Much of the immune system is located within the GI tract, since it must deal with the huge antigenic load introduced with food. Moreover, the incidence of immune-mediated diseases is elevated in Westernized countries, where “transition nutrition” prevails, owing to the shift from traditional dietary patterns towards Westernized patterns. This ecological correlation has fostered increasing attempts to find evidence to support nutritional interventions aimed at managing and reducing the risk of immune-mediated diseases. Recent studies have described the impacts of single nutrients on markers of immune function, but the knowledge currently available is not sufficient to demonstrate the impact of specific dietary patterns on immune-mediated clinical disease endpoints. If nutritional scientists are to conduct quality research, one of many challenges facing them, in studying the complex interactions between the immune system and diet, is to develop improved tools for investigating eating habits in the context of immunomediated diseases.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i33-i39
Author(s):  
Cheng-Jiang Wei ◽  
Shu-Chen Gu ◽  
Jie-Yi Ren ◽  
Yi-Hui Gu ◽  
Xiang-Wen Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract AbstractThe immune system plays an essential role in the development of tumors, which has been demonstrated in multiple types of cancers. Consistent with this, immunotherapies with targets that disrupt these mechanisms and turn the immune system against developing cancers have been proven effective. In neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, the understanding of the complex interactions of the immune system is incomplete despite the discovery of the pivotal role of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Individuals with NF1 show a loss of the NF1 gene in nonneoplastic cells, including immune cells, and the aberrant immune system exhibits intriguing interactions with NF1. This review aims to provide an update on recent studies showing the bilateral influences of NF1 mutations on immune cells and how the abnormal immune system promotes the development of NF1 and NF1-related tumors. We then discuss the immune receptors major histocompatibility complex class I and II and the PD-L1 mechanism that shield NF1 from immunosurveillance and enable the immune escape of tumor tissues. Clarification of the latest understanding of the mechanisms underlying the effects of the abnormal immune system on promoting the development of NF1 will indicate potential future directions for further studies and new immunotherapies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 502-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Weber ◽  
Kylie O’Brien

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom experienced in cancer patients. Depression, anxiety, and stress are associated with cancer. Depression and anxiety are also associated with CRF. At the cellular level, much is known about the impact of stress on the body generally, and its potential role in cancer. Stress, anxiety, and depression have been found to depress the immune system. Depression and stress have also been found to create inflammatory changes in the body and there is emerging evidence that inflammation is involved in cancer pathogenesis and in CRF. This article examines the relationships between stress, anxiety, depression, and cancer; relationships between anxiety and depression and CRF; and what happens at the cellular level, including impact on the immune system and emerging evidence of the role of inflammation in CRF. It also reports on research in relation to some Chinese herbal medicines that may be used to treat CRF.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Vandenplas

This review summarises how the composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiota depends on pre- and postnatal factors, and birth itself. The impact of method of delivery, feeding during infancy and medications, such as antibiotics and anti-acid medication, on the composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiota has clearly been shown. However, the duration of the impact of these factors is not well established. The gastro-intestinal microbiome composition is associated with many auto-immune mediated diseases. Although causality has not been obviously demonstrated, there is a strong tendency in this direction. Nevertheless, results of the manipulation of the gastro-intestinal microbiome composition in these conditions are often disappointing. A better understanding on factors determining the longterm composition of the gastro-intestinal microbiome and its health consequences are a priority research topic. A better understanding of the association between the microbiome and the immune system may have a tremendous impact on general health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Yu K Churilov ◽  
Yu B Moiseev ◽  
I I Richei

The impact of unfavorable factors of aviation flight causes a significant strain in the flight crew of the functional state of the body, including various parts of the immune system. To date, research on the problems of interaction between different parts of the immune system in flight personnel in the process of professional adaptation is practically absent. In this regard, a study was conducted of immunological reactivity according to calculated data from 100 pilots of fighter aircraft and 102 pilots of other types of aircraft. The data obtained indicate significant dissociation of the flight composition in the immune system and changes in its reactivity. Studies of immunological reactivity in terms of integral leukocyte indices seem promising and, in combination with other methods of clinical and functional diagnostics, will expand the possibilities of assessing the overall functional status of pilots in the process of medical examination.


Author(s):  
Mukhtar H. Ahmed ◽  
Arez Hassan ◽  
Judit Molnár

AbstractThe World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, named as SARS-CoV-2, as a global pandemic in early 2020 after the disease spread to more than 180 countries leading to tens of thousands of cases and many deaths within a couple of months. Consequently, this paper aims to summarize the evidence for the relationships between nutrition and the boosting of the immune system in the fight against the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. This review, in particular, assesses the impact of vitamin and mineral supplements on the body’s defence mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2. The results revealed that there is a strong relationship between the ingestion of biological ingredients like vitamins C–E, and minerals such as zinc, and a reduction in the effects of coronavirus infection. These can be received from either nutrition rich food sources or from vitamin supplements. Furthermore, these macromolecules might have roles to play in boosting the immune response, in the healing process and the recovery time. Hence, we recommend that eating healthy foods rich in vitamins C–E with zinc and flavonoids could boost the immune system and consequently protect the body from serious infections. Graphical Abstract


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4039
Author(s):  
Benedetta Raspini ◽  
Margherita Prosperi ◽  
Letizia Guiducci ◽  
Elisa Santocchi ◽  
Raffaella Tancredi ◽  
...  

Atypical eating habits are more common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) than typically developing (TD) peers. Feeding problems may lead to the double burden of specific nutrient deficiencies and excessive weight gain, with a consequent increase in obesity prevalence. The dietary intake of Italian preschoolers with ASD compared to their TD peers and the impact of their dietary choices on their weight status and relationship to food selectivity (FS) were investigated. Dietary patterns and their associations with body mass index (BMI) were evaluated in 65 children with ASD and 82 peers with TD aged 1.3–6.4 years. Eating habits were assessed with a modified version of a parent-rated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Moreover, the prevalence of FS and possible links with dietary patterns and BMI were investigated in the ASD group. Children with ASD consumed significantly higher amounts of simple sugars, processed and ultra-processed carbohydrates, both low- and high-fat animal proteins, and lower amounts of vegetables and fruits compared to peers with TD. The obesity rate was 1.5% in children with TD and more than fourfold (6.2%) in children with ASD, although the difference between groups was not statistically significant. FS was significantly more frequent in children with ASD than in peers with TD. Children with ASD and FS showed significantly lower annual intakes of vegetable proteins and fiber (considered essential nutrients for a healthy diet) than children with ASD without FS. Our results showed that children with ASD showed different dietary habits than those with TD, with the higher consumption of energy-dense foods and lower amounts of food-sourced fibers, which could place them at increased risk to develop overweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies later in life.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Currie ◽  
Takara A. Motz ◽  
Jennifer L Copeland

Abstract Background Allostatic load (AL) is an aggregate measure of wear and tear on the body due to the chronic activation of the stress response system. The goal of this study was to examine the association between racially-motivated housing discrimination and AL score within a sample of Indigenous university students.Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from Indigenous adults attending university in a small city in western Canada between 2015 and 2017 ( N = 104; Mean age = 27.8 years). An item adapted from the Experience of Discrimination Scale was to assess racially-motivated housing discrimination in the past 12 months. AL was measured as a composite of 7 biomarkers assessing neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune system function. Bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrapped linear regression models were used to examine associations adjusting for age, income, parenthood, and other situations in which discrimination had been experienced.Results Indigenous university students who experienced racially-motivated housing discrimination in the past year (16.8% of the sample) had an average AL score of approximately 4, which was almost double that of their peers who had not. In an adjusted model. racially-motivated housing discrimination was associated with a-1.5 point increase in AL score. This model explained 35% of the adjusted variance in AL score, of which racially-motivated housing discrimination explained 24% ( R 2 Change = 0.24, F Change = 32.52, Sig. F Change p <0.001).Conclusions Indigenous adults who experienced racially-motivated housing discrimination in the past year had early and more pronounced wear and tear on neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune system functioning in young and middle adulthood than Indigenous peers who did not. These findings combine with others to highlight the need for increased efforts to prevent racially-motivated housing discrimination in urban centres.


2021 ◽  
pp. 195-220
Author(s):  
Paola Savvidou

This chapter addresses nutrition and sleep as they relate to music performance and college life. These two topics are presented together because of the significant amount of research demonstrating their interconnectedness. The first part of this chapter discusses the challenges university students face in achieving a balanced diet, the components of proper nutrition, and guidelines for healthy eating habits. Eating disorders, as well as ways to support students who may be dealing with difficulties related to eating, are discussed. The second half of the chapter presents an overview of sleep. Foundational information such as sleep/wake cycles, factors that affect sleep, and the impact of sleep deprivation on nutrition are followed by descriptions of common sleep disorders and strategies for developing good sleep hygiene.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-262
Author(s):  
Sheqibe Beadini ◽  
Nexhbedin Beadini ◽  
Besa Dalipi ◽  
Gazmend Iseni ◽  
Hesat Aliu ◽  
...  

Background: Factors affecting the growth of the organism may be either endogenous, such as genetic factors like genetic heritage, or exogenous such as food, social and health status, physical activity, etc. A factor of great importance for human physical growth is BMI, a parameter defined as the ratio of human body weight and height. Aims:The purpose of this article is to determine the BMI in Macedonia’s population by analyzing age and gender, and finding the correlation of endogeneous and exogeneous factors and the BMI factor. All measurements were performed at the health facility. Surveys were also conducted for gathering information about gender, age, weight, height, eating habits, socioeconomic status, and education. Results: This clinical research studied 257 patients, 143 males and 114 females. Among other factors involved in this research are blood glucose, fat parameters and potential risk factors for cardiovascular and nephrotic diseases. Conclusions: After the discovery and identification of renal disease, the impact of BMI can be distinguished from pathological processes, such as irregular eating, various inflammations, and changes in the metabolism of vitamin D, etc. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 12 No. 03 July ’13 Page 256-262DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v12i3.12618 


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 536
Author(s):  
Heidi Haavik ◽  
Imran Khan Niazi ◽  
Nitika Kumari ◽  
Imran Amjad ◽  
Jenna Duehr ◽  
...  

The current COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the need to find healthcare solutions that boost or support immunity. There is some evidence that high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) controlled vertebral thrusts have the potential to modulate immune mediators. However, the mechanisms of the link between HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts and neuroimmune function and the associated potential clinical implications are less clear. This review aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that can explain the HVLA controlled vertebral thrust--neuroimmune link and discuss what this link implies for clinical practice and future research needs. A search for relevant articles published up until April 2021 was undertaken. Twenty-three published papers were found that explored the impact of HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts on neuroimmune markers, of which eighteen found a significant effect. These basic science studies show that HVLA controlled vertebral thrust influence the levels of immune mediators in the body, including neuropeptides, inflammatory markers, and endocrine markers. This narravtive review discusses the most likely mechanisms for how HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts could impact these immune markers. The mechanisms are most likely due to the known changes in proprioceptive processing that occur within the central nervous system (CNS), in particular within the prefrontal cortex, following HVLA spinal thrusts. The prefrontal cortex is involved in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the immune system. Bi-directional neuro-immune interactions are affected by emotional or pain-related stress. Stress-induced sympathetic nervous system activity also alters vertebral motor control. Therefore, there are biologically plausible direct and indirect mechanisms that link HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts to the immune system, suggesting HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts have the potential to modulate immune function. However, it is not yet known whether HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts have a clinically relevant impact on immunity. Further research is needed to explore the clinical impact of HVLA controlled vertebral thrusts on immune function.


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