|
The keto diet focuses the immune system on the flu virus
If you want to reduce the chance that you will be struck by a flu virus, reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. According to an animal study from the University of Yale, a low-carbohydrate diet activates a particular type of immune cell that helps keep flu viruses out.
Animal study
The researchers exposed mice to the A/PR8-IAV flu virus. This is an influenza A virus, which is fatal to mice if the number of viruses is large enough. However, the researchers used a mouse variant with the Mx1 gene, which provides some protection against A/PR8-IAV.
The researchers divided their mice into 2 groups. One group received standard chow, which mainly consisted of carbohydrates. [Chow] A control group received food with hardly any carbohydrates. [KD] The energy mainly came from fat.
Results
After 4 days, all mice in the Chow group were dead. One week after exposure, half of the mice were still alive in the KD group.
The researchers repeated the experiment with mice without the Mx1 gene, and saw that the protective effect of the keto diet was considerably lower in these animals.
Mx-1 is needed for the functioning of gamma-delta-T cells, a type of immune cells about which we do not yet know much. Gamma-delta-T cells are somewhere in between the learning and the innate immune system.
Oncologists in particular study gamma-delta-T cells after fundamental research has shown that the chances for cancer patients are greater as more gamma-delta-T cells have invaded their tumors to kill cancer cells. [Front Immunol. 2018 Jun 8;9:1305.]
The researchers found the same gamma-delta T cells in the lungs of the mice exposed to the virus. They found them mainly in the lungs of mice that had been given low-carbohydrate feed.
Source:
Sci Immunol. 2019 Nov 15;4(41). pii: eaav2026. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aav2026.
More:
Even if a low carbohydrate diet does not make you slimmer, it still makes you healthier 27.06.2019
Do you suffer from worn joints? A low-carb diet may help 19.03.2019
Ketogenic diet during radiotherapy: cancer patients build muscle mass 14.03.2018
Archives:
Immune System
Keto Diet
 |
 |
 |
|
Proline supplementation stimulates immune system
If you're suffering from flu, or youve just had a vaccination against a nasty bacteria or unpleasant virus, then supplementation with the amino acid proline can give your immune system a boost.
|
Too much body fat makes influenza deadlier
If another really nasty flu virus comes this way, then the regular readers of this webzine will be better prepared. Their healthy fat percentage makes it less likely that they'll succumb to the influenza.
|
Sleep speeds up post-viral healing
If you've been hit by a virus, you can speed up your healing process by making sure you get some good sleep. Sleep is crucial for the functioning of the immune system.
|
|
