QUESTION: Since watching 1 hour comedy strengthen immune system, so will watching 1 hour of sad show have an adverse effect on our immune system?
It has long been assumed that crying is psychologically and physically “good for you” and that, conversely, chronically suppressing tears is “bad for you.” A group of researchers in the late 1980s hypothesized that weeping would “release tension, reduce toxicity, and thus buffer the effect of negative events on mood disturbance” (Labott & Martin, 1987).
To everyone’s surprise, this study, like most others to date, found that instead of improving moods, relieving tension, or enhancing the immune system, crying did the opposite: it left people feeling more depressed and weakened the immune system.
Even though these researchers refined and repeated their study three times using hundreds of subjects, they consistently found that high weepers of both sexes showed more mood disturbance than low weepers. Levels of immunoglobulin A – an antibody in the saliva that protects against respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections – decreased when a group of women cried during a sad film and increased when they laughed while watching a comedy. (Labott, Ahleman, Wolever, & Martin, 1990)
Crying is complex enough to bring us down in mood and suppress our immune systems in the short term while, over time, helping to restore our physiological equilibrium and enhance our overall health.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Answering to questions
By Mellitus-immunology
When under stress, will epinephrine & norepinephrine decrease the amount of lymphocytes released from the lymph nodes and from the thymus?
The thymus gland begins to shrink as a result of this . the body's immune system is not as effective in fighting off infection. If stress is overwhelming , the result are sometimes fatal.
The number of lymphocytes will decrease that is why immune system is weaker when we are stress.
The lymph nodes in response to stress and other stimuli (Shimizu et al., 1994; Madden et al., 1995a). NE signals leukocytes via cellular ß-adrenergic receptors, which activate the cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) signaling cascade to regulate a variety of immune processes including leukocyte activation, cytokine production, and cell trafficking (Kammer, 1988; Ottaway and Husband, 1994; Madden et al., 1995a; Cole et al)
In summary it will decrease the amount of lymphocytes
When under stress, will epinephrine & norepinephrine decrease the amount of lymphocytes released from the lymph nodes and from the thymus?
The thymus gland begins to shrink as a result of this . the body's immune system is not as effective in fighting off infection. If stress is overwhelming , the result are sometimes fatal.
The number of lymphocytes will decrease that is why immune system is weaker when we are stress.
The lymph nodes in response to stress and other stimuli (Shimizu et al., 1994; Madden et al., 1995a). NE signals leukocytes via cellular ß-adrenergic receptors, which activate the cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) signaling cascade to regulate a variety of immune processes including leukocyte activation, cytokine production, and cell trafficking (Kammer, 1988; Ottaway and Husband, 1994; Madden et al., 1995a; Cole et al)
In summary it will decrease the amount of lymphocytes
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Our IMMUNE SYSTEM & LAUGHTER
What happens to our body when we laugh? And how are these responses beneficial to our health?
Firstly, we must know that STRESS can cause UNHEALTHY physiological responses. It increases muscle tension, blood pressure and supresses the immune system. In addtion, the number of T helper cells would be reduced and the activity of natural killer (NK) cells would also be decreased.
And do you know what happens when you laugh? A good laugh loosens muscles, lowers blood pressure and may lower levels of hormones that create stress and weaken immunity. When you laugh, your body moves blood to your heart and lungs, boosting your energy level and making you feel better instantly.
Linking to our immune system: the number of available T helper cells, activated T lympphocytes, activity of and number of NK cells would all together INCREASE. Plus, lowering the serum levels of cortisol.
Additional benefits of laughter:
- Increased concentrations of an antibody known to occur in the saliva and protect against respiratory and intestinal infections.
- Immunoglobin (IgA) concentrations would be higher.
- Improved levels of salivary IgA.
- Pain reduction (Pls refer to next post for story regarding this)
- Decreased risk of getting heart disease.
With respect to cellular immunity, watching a one-hour comedy video has been found to produce:
1) increased number of B cells
2) increased number of, and activation of, T cells,
3) increased number of Helper T cells (the cells attacked by the AIDS virus),
4) increased ratio of Helper/Suppressor T cells,
5) increased number of, and activity of, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and
6) increased levels of Gamma Interferon.
Random story of how LAUGHTER aids in reducing pain.
A nurse recently told me of a Methodist minister who had been in a serious accident and had to spend several weeks in the hospital. He had a lot of pain, and was given shots to reduce it. The procedure was always the same. When the pain got bad enough, he would ring a buzzer near his bed, and a nurse would soon come to give him the shot. One day, he rang for the nurse and then rolled over on his side (with his back to the door), pulled his hospital gown up over his exposed backside, and waited for the nurse to come in. When he heard the door open, he pointed to his right bare buttock and said, "Why don't you give me the shot right here this time?"
After a few moments of silence, he looked up. It was a woman from his church! Following a brief embarrassing conversation, the woman left, and the minister--realizing what he had done--started laughing. He laughed so hard that tears were coming out of his eyes when the nurse arrived. When he tried to explain what had happened, he began laughing even harder.
When he was finally able to tell the nurse the whole story, what do you think he noticed? His pain was gone! He didn't need the shot, and didn't ask for one for another 90 minutes.
Several studies have now documented the pain-reducing power of humor and laughter. In one study, watching or listening to humorous tapes increased the length of time participants were able to keep their hand in ice water before it became painful. Another study showed that those who found the comedy material funnier were able to endure the ice water longer than those who found it less funny.
After a few moments of silence, he looked up. It was a woman from his church! Following a brief embarrassing conversation, the woman left, and the minister--realizing what he had done--started laughing. He laughed so hard that tears were coming out of his eyes when the nurse arrived. When he tried to explain what had happened, he began laughing even harder.
When he was finally able to tell the nurse the whole story, what do you think he noticed? His pain was gone! He didn't need the shot, and didn't ask for one for another 90 minutes.
Several studies have now documented the pain-reducing power of humor and laughter. In one study, watching or listening to humorous tapes increased the length of time participants were able to keep their hand in ice water before it became painful. Another study showed that those who found the comedy material funnier were able to endure the ice water longer than those who found it less funny.
Stress and Immune System Response
STRESS can make you SICK! This is because of the hormones and nerve pathways which are activated by stress change the way the immune system responds, making it less able to fight invaders.
Stress triggers the release of the cascade of hypothalamic pituitary and adrenal hormones- the brain stress response. It also triggers the adrenal glands to release epinephrine or adrenaline and the sympathetic nerves to squirt out the adrenaline-like chemical norepinephrine all over the body.
From the immune system response, cortisol decreases the amount of lymphocytes released from the lymph nodes and from the thymus.
-When does stress turn from good to bad, as far as your immune system is concerned?
Differences in response time between the nervous and immune system...
The nervous system and the hormonal stress response react to a stimulus in milliseconds, seconds or minutes whereas the immune system takes hours or days. Therefore, when the stress turns chronic (continuous), immune defenses begin to be impaired.
As the stressful stimulus hammers on (in the context on continued stress), stress hormones and chemicals continue to pump out. Immune cells floating in this milieu in blood or passing through the spleen or growing up in thymic nurseries never have a chance to recover from the unabated rush of cortisol. Since cortisol shuts down immune cells' responses, shifting them to a muted form (less able to react to foreign triggers), this results in less ability to defend and fight when faced with new intruders.
Therefore, (for example) when we are exposed to flu or common cold virus, our immune system is less able to react and we become more susceptible to these infections.
STRESS~
Stress is your body's response to any stimulus. Any type of stress triggers physiological responses: your adrenaline output increases, your heart pumps faster, and your breathing rate goes up. These bodily responses are positive if you channel them over a short period of time, but if there is no release, however small, then stress becomes a negative force. The strain of negative stress manifests such symptoms as: chronic fatigue, headaches, a change in eating habits, inability to concentrate, general irritability, as well as other physical problems.
A certain amount of stress, however, is beneficial. An experiment conducted in 1908 by Yerkes and Dodson studied the effects of stress on learning in lab animals. Those subjected in laboratory animals. Those subjected to extreme stress or no stress learned less than those subjected to moderate levels of stress. In 1983 a similar study was performed by Bossing and Rouff using children in a classroom environment. The 1983 study confirmed the results of the earlier experiment by Yerkes and Dodson. The graph below illustrates their results.
A certain amount of stress, however, is beneficial. An experiment conducted in 1908 by Yerkes and Dodson studied the effects of stress on learning in lab animals. Those subjected in laboratory animals. Those subjected to extreme stress or no stress learned less than those subjected to moderate levels of stress. In 1983 a similar study was performed by Bossing and Rouff using children in a classroom environment. The 1983 study confirmed the results of the earlier experiment by Yerkes and Dodson. The graph below illustrates their results.
FUN & FOOD FACTS! :D
FUN FACTS:
#1. Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.
#2. The average person laughs 13 times a day.
#3. A good belly laugh shuts off the flow of stress hormones which is triggered by our biological "fight or flight" response when we feel stress, anger or hostility.
#4. Stress hormones weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure and increase the number of blood platelets which can clog arteries.
#5. Laughter increases the amount of natural killer cells which destroy tumours and viruses, lowers blood pressure, and increases oxygen in the blood.
FOOD FACTS:
Beef:
Even though beef often gets a bad rap, it's a great dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef contains high levels of ZINC, iron, and B vitamins, which are also known to help stabilize your mood. "People think they should stay away from beef, but it's very nutrient rich, even compared to chicken," says Geise. Ask your grocery store butcher for a lean cut if you're concerned about fat content.
- Recommended Serving Size: Scant 1 cup of raw lean ground chunk, 137 calories Scant 1 cup of regular ground beef, 310 calories.
Almonds:
Are you ever looking for something you can really dig your teeth into when you're stressed? Try crunching on almonds to get some aggression out. A good source of Vitamin B2 and E, as well as magnesium and ZINC, almonds are high in fat, but most of the fat is unsaturated. Like vitamin C, vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals associated with stress, and in particular, those free radicals that cause heart disease.
- Recommended Serving Size: Shelled almonds, 1/3 cup, 306 calories.
To see more on foods that help stress levels:
http://www.bhg.com/health-family/mind-body-spirit/natural-remedies/superfoods-for-stress-relief/
#1. Laughing lowers levels of stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15 to 100 times a day.
#2. The average person laughs 13 times a day.
#3. A good belly laugh shuts off the flow of stress hormones which is triggered by our biological "fight or flight" response when we feel stress, anger or hostility.
#4. Stress hormones weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure and increase the number of blood platelets which can clog arteries.
#5. Laughter increases the amount of natural killer cells which destroy tumours and viruses, lowers blood pressure, and increases oxygen in the blood.
FOOD FACTS:
Beef:
Even though beef often gets a bad rap, it's a great dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef contains high levels of ZINC, iron, and B vitamins, which are also known to help stabilize your mood. "People think they should stay away from beef, but it's very nutrient rich, even compared to chicken," says Geise. Ask your grocery store butcher for a lean cut if you're concerned about fat content.
- Recommended Serving Size: Scant 1 cup of raw lean ground chunk, 137 calories Scant 1 cup of regular ground beef, 310 calories.
Almonds:
Are you ever looking for something you can really dig your teeth into when you're stressed? Try crunching on almonds to get some aggression out. A good source of Vitamin B2 and E, as well as magnesium and ZINC, almonds are high in fat, but most of the fat is unsaturated. Like vitamin C, vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals associated with stress, and in particular, those free radicals that cause heart disease.
- Recommended Serving Size: Shelled almonds, 1/3 cup, 306 calories.
To see more on foods that help stress levels:
http://www.bhg.com/health-family/mind-body-spirit/natural-remedies/superfoods-for-stress-relief/
FOOD AND STRESS RELIEF!
The changes associated with stress are:
- Increase in the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol
- Increase in blood sugar and cholesterol
- Increase in the heart rate and blood pressure
- Increase in the respiration
- Accumulation of toxins like carbon dioxide and lactates
- Emotional changes due to alteration in the brain chemistry
- Gastro intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome
- Suppression of immunity
The principle of stress management programs is to reverse all these changes. Among these changes the levels of the already increased hormones cannot be brought down. The stimulus which increases their production can be controlled. All the other changes can be reversed using various stress relief options. One of the simplest options is the dietary changes.
Vitamins for Stress:
# One effective method of stress relief management involves the use of vitamins. Taking in extra nutrients helps to ensure that the body will have adequate amounts in store to combat stress. Among the most important stress vitamins are the B-complex vitamins and the antioxidant vitamins.
# B-complex vitamins are important in stress relief management because one of their primary roles in the body is to keep the nervous system functioning well.
# Deficiencies of B-vitamins are associated with nerve problems and an increase in stress-related symptoms such as depression, anxiety and irritability. The B-complex vitamins work as a team, and supplements should include a balanced formula containing all of them.
# Antioxidant vitamins are important vitamins for stress. Vitamins E and C, both antioxidants, protect the body against free radical damage. When the body is under stress, more free radicals are produced, so extra antioxidants can be of great value in stress relief management. Antioxidants also help to strengthen the immune system, which can be compromised during stressful times.
# Nutritional supplements for stress relief management should contain more than vitamins. Several minerals and herbs are of value in combating the effects of stress as well.
# For example, the minerals magnesium and zinc are often depleted when a person is under stress, and supplements may help to replenish stores and alleviate stress-related symptoms. In addition, herbs can be used to treat a variety of stress-related conditions.
- Increase in the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol
- Increase in blood sugar and cholesterol
- Increase in the heart rate and blood pressure
- Increase in the respiration
- Accumulation of toxins like carbon dioxide and lactates
- Emotional changes due to alteration in the brain chemistry
- Gastro intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome
- Suppression of immunity
The principle of stress management programs is to reverse all these changes. Among these changes the levels of the already increased hormones cannot be brought down. The stimulus which increases their production can be controlled. All the other changes can be reversed using various stress relief options. One of the simplest options is the dietary changes.
Vitamins for Stress:
# One effective method of stress relief management involves the use of vitamins. Taking in extra nutrients helps to ensure that the body will have adequate amounts in store to combat stress. Among the most important stress vitamins are the B-complex vitamins and the antioxidant vitamins.
# B-complex vitamins are important in stress relief management because one of their primary roles in the body is to keep the nervous system functioning well.
# Deficiencies of B-vitamins are associated with nerve problems and an increase in stress-related symptoms such as depression, anxiety and irritability. The B-complex vitamins work as a team, and supplements should include a balanced formula containing all of them.
# Antioxidant vitamins are important vitamins for stress. Vitamins E and C, both antioxidants, protect the body against free radical damage. When the body is under stress, more free radicals are produced, so extra antioxidants can be of great value in stress relief management. Antioxidants also help to strengthen the immune system, which can be compromised during stressful times.
# Nutritional supplements for stress relief management should contain more than vitamins. Several minerals and herbs are of value in combating the effects of stress as well.
# For example, the minerals magnesium and zinc are often depleted when a person is under stress, and supplements may help to replenish stores and alleviate stress-related symptoms. In addition, herbs can be used to treat a variety of stress-related conditions.
Carotenoids
Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as being a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging. Together with vitamins C and E, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by interfering with how the fats and cholesterol in the bloodstream oxidize to form arterial plaques. Studies have shown that beta carotene can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially strokes and heart attacks. Beta carotene also protects against cancer by stimulating the immune cells called macrophages to produce tumour necrosis factor, which kills cancer cells. It has also been shown that beta carotene supplements can increase the production of T-cell lymphocytes and natural killer cells and can enhance the ability of the natural killer cells to attack cancer cells.
The body converts beta carotene to vitamin A, which has anticancer properties and immune-boosting functions. But too much vitamin A can be toxic to the body, so it's better to get extra beta carotene from foods and let the body naturally regulate how much of this precursor is converted to the immune-fighting vitamin A. It's highly unlikely that a person could take in enough beta carotene to produce a toxic amount of vitamin A, because when the body has enough vitamin A, it stops making it.
For more info, look at the next post.
Vitamin A (continued)
What is Carotenoids?
Carotenoids consist of α- carotene and β-carotenene That can be found in dark green leafy vegetables , carrot , sweet potatoes ,mangoes and papayas and β-crytoxanthin that is found in oranges and tangerines. (De Pee et al ., 1995 ;west,2000)How can Carotenoids (vitamin A) affect us?
Mucosal immunity
Vitamin A deficiency can impairs mucosal function tha lead to
- loss of cilia in the respiratory tract ,
- loss of microvilli in the gastrointestinal tract ,
- alteration in antigen- specific secretory immunoglobulin A(lgA) concentrations
- impairment of mucosal associated immune cell function .
( wolbach and Howe , 1925 ; Blackfan and Wolbach , 1933 ; Sweet and K’ang , 1935)
CASE 1
- In vitamin A deficient BALB/c mice that were challenged with influenza A virus had a lower influenza specific IgA response than control mice. (Gangopadhyay et al ., 1996)
Natural killer cells (NK cells)
Vitamin A deficiency reduces the number of circulating Natural Killer cells and impairs NK cell cytolytic activity .NK cells attack virus and tumour cells that enhance our immune system.(Nauss and Newberne , 1985 ;Bowman et al ., 1990)Children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDs) who receive two doses of oral vitamin A has large increases in the number of circulating NK cells , compared with children who received placebo ( Hussey et al ., 1996) Placebos exert an "expectancy" effect whereby an inert substance which is believed to be a drug has effects similar to the actual drug.
Neutrophiles
Neutrophils are non-specific immunity, because they phagocytose and kill bacteria, paracites ,virus-infected cells and tumour cells. Retinoic acid helps to mature neutrophils. If vitamin A deficient, the functions of neutrophils are impaired. (Lawson and Berliner, 1999)
T lymphocytes
Vitamin A modulate the balance between T-helper type 1 and T helper type 2 –like responses that improves lymphocyte responsiveness. (Carman et al ., 1992 ; cantorna et al ., 1994 ,1996) The effect of high-level dietary vitamin A on the shift to T-helper type 2- like responses in BALB/c mice has been used to explain the apparent lack of benefit of vitamin A supplementation for acute lower respiratory infections in human (Cui et al ., 2000)
B lymphocytes
Vitamin A impairs the growth ,activation and function of B lymphocytes.B lymphocytes have been shown to utilize a metabolite of retinol,14-hydroxy-4,14-retro-retinol,instead of retinoic acid that is a mediator for growth. (Bucket et al ., 1991)
Antibody response
Vitamin A deficiency impair the capacity to generate an antibody response to T-cell-dependent antigens(Smith and Hayes ,1987 ;Semba et al., 1992 ,1994 ; Wiedermann et al ., 1993a,b)
Vitamin A in resistance to infectious disease
Measles
Vitamin A supplementation reduce the chance of getting measles in infants and children (Markowitz et al ., 1989) Vitamin A supplementation modulate antibody responses to measles and increase total lymphocytes counts. Children receiving high dose of vitamin A supplementation (60mg RE upon admission and the following day) had significantly higher Ig G responses to measles virus and higher circulating lymphocyte counts during follow up , compared to children who receive placebo (Coutsoudis et al ., 1992)
Diarrhoeal disease
Diarrhoeal diseases among children are caused by Escherichia coli ,slamonella and vibrio cholera. Vitamin A supplementation for fortification has shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality of diarrhoeal disease among preschool children in developing countries. ( Sommer et al., 1984 ; Brillant et al ., 1985; DeSole et al ., 1987 ; Gujral et al ., 1993 ; Schaumberg et al ., 1996)
Zinc
This valuable mineral increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection and helps them fight more aggressively. It also increases killer cells that fight against cancer and helps white cells release more antibodies. Zinc supplements have been shown to slow the growth of cancer. Zinc is directly involved in antibody production to help fight infection.
Zinc increases the number of infection-fighting T-cells, especially in elderly people who are often deficient in zinc. For infants and children, there is some evidence that dietary zinc supplements may reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infections, but this is controversial. The best source of zinc for infants and young children is zinc-fortified cereals. For adults, they can get their source of zinc from oysters, crabs and red meats.
For more info, look at next post.
Zinc (continued)
Zinc
Zinc deficiency in humans will increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. Zinc is also important for host immunity. Mild zinc deficiency can impair multiple mediators of host immunity, ranging from the physical barrier on the skin to acquired cellular and humoral immunity. ( Frost el al ., 1977 ; Oleske et al ., 1979 ; Good ,1981 ; Walsh et al ., 1994)
Zinc deficiency
Zinc intake is in the range 8-12 mg /day. Marginal zinc deficiency (intake > 5mg/day) will have clinical signs such as depressed immunity , impaired taste and smell ,onset of night blindness , impairment of memory and decrease in spermatogenesis in males ( Prasad et al ., 1961 ; Standstead et al ., 2000)Serve zinc deficiency will lead to severely depressed immune function ,frequent infections , bullous pustular dermatitis , diarrhoea , aplopecia and mental disturbance. (Barnes and Moynahan 1973)
Zinc and the cell cycle
Zinc is required during the mid to late GI phase of the cell cycle in promotion of thymidine kinase expression(Chester et al., 1993)and in another less well-defined step involved in cell transition to S phase. Activated lymphocytes take up zinc via multiple mechanisms, including receptors for zinc transferring ,metallothionein, albumin and α₂-macroglobulin (Walsh et al ., 1994 ; Shankar and Prasad , 1998 ; Prasad , 2000a)and also by other less well- characterized mechanism , such as anionic channels or transporters.A greater proportion of S-compared with G2-phase cells was observed among mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes from mildly zinc deficient patients syffering from sickle-cell anaemia(Prasad 2000a).
Zinc and cell replication
Zinc influences the activity of multiple enzymes which act at the very basic levels of replication and transcription. (Walsh et al ., 1994 ; Zalewki , 1996 ; Shankar and Prasad ,1998)Zinc forms the active enzymetic sites of many metalloproteases. The activity of the major enzyme regulating DNA replication, DNA polymerase, is zinc dependent. It is inhibited by zinc deficiency and zinc chelators and is enhanced by addition of low concentration s of idines , is also very sensitive to dietary zinc depletion.
Zinc and lymphocyte activation
Zinc plays a role in multiple aspects of T lymphocyte activation and signal transduction. Zinc has implication with tyrosine, an essential protein in the early step of T- cell activation.(Turner et al., 1990) Zinc stimulates autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues by tyrosine kinase and subsequent phosphorylation of the T-cell-receptor complex . (Zalewki, 1996)Zinc affects the phosphorylation of proteins that regulate activation and cell proliferation.
Zinc in antioxidant defence
Zinc protect cells from the damaging effect of oxygen radicals such as superoxide during immune activation. (Taylor and Bray ,1991)
Effects of zinc deficiency on barrier function
Zinc deficiency damages epidermal cells, resulting in skin lesions. (Shankar and Prasad, 1998)
Effects on zinc on immune-cell numbers
Zinc deficiency will lead to lymphopenia that occurs in both the central and peripheral lymphoid tissue. (Walsh et al., 1994) B-cell that develops in the bone marrow is adversely affected by zinc deficiency (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998)
Neutrophil functions
Neutrophil chemotaxis and functions are impaired in zinc deficiency (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998)Zinc improved the meutrophil response against Staphylococcus . (Singh et al ., 1994)
Monocyte functions
Chemotatic responses of monocytes are suppressed during zinc deficiency. (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998) Monocytes are impaired in killing of intracellur parasites and reduced in macrophage phagocytosis. (Schlesinger et al., 1993)
Natural killer cell function
Zinc deficiency caused a decrease in natural killer cells activity . (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998) Zinc mediated inhibition of natural killer cells activity decrease is due to natural killer cells inhibitory receptor requires zinc.( Rajagopalan et al ., 1995)
T and B-cell functions
B- cell proliferative and antibody responses are inhibited by zinc deficiency ( Moulder and Steward , 1989 ; Walsh et al ., 1994 ; Shankar and Prasad , 1998)T- dependent antibody responses are more affected by zinc deficiency than T-independent ones (Franker et al ., 1977 ,1978 ,1984 ,1986)
Effect on high doses of zinc
Very high zinc intake in adults and children can result in copper deficiency and this could cause immunosupression (Porter et al ., 1977 ; Prasad et al ., 1978 ; Fosmire , 1990)
The influence of zinc on conditions involving immunosupression
Patients suffering from sickle cell disease have depressed peripheral T-cell numbers ,and decreased natural killer cell activity .( Prasad ,200a) For patients with Down’s syndrome , zinc supplements can restore immediate hypersensitivity , lymphocyte functions and neutrophil chemotaxis and increase resistance to infection (Bjorksten et al ., 1980)
Zinc deficiency in humans will increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. Zinc is also important for host immunity. Mild zinc deficiency can impair multiple mediators of host immunity, ranging from the physical barrier on the skin to acquired cellular and humoral immunity. ( Frost el al ., 1977 ; Oleske et al ., 1979 ; Good ,1981 ; Walsh et al ., 1994)
Zinc deficiency
Zinc intake is in the range 8-12 mg /day. Marginal zinc deficiency (intake > 5mg/day) will have clinical signs such as depressed immunity , impaired taste and smell ,onset of night blindness , impairment of memory and decrease in spermatogenesis in males ( Prasad et al ., 1961 ; Standstead et al ., 2000)Serve zinc deficiency will lead to severely depressed immune function ,frequent infections , bullous pustular dermatitis , diarrhoea , aplopecia and mental disturbance. (Barnes and Moynahan 1973)
Zinc and the cell cycle
Zinc is required during the mid to late GI phase of the cell cycle in promotion of thymidine kinase expression(Chester et al., 1993)and in another less well-defined step involved in cell transition to S phase. Activated lymphocytes take up zinc via multiple mechanisms, including receptors for zinc transferring ,metallothionein, albumin and α₂-macroglobulin (Walsh et al ., 1994 ; Shankar and Prasad , 1998 ; Prasad , 2000a)and also by other less well- characterized mechanism , such as anionic channels or transporters.A greater proportion of S-compared with G2-phase cells was observed among mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes from mildly zinc deficient patients syffering from sickle-cell anaemia(Prasad 2000a).
Zinc and cell replication
Zinc influences the activity of multiple enzymes which act at the very basic levels of replication and transcription. (Walsh et al ., 1994 ; Zalewki , 1996 ; Shankar and Prasad ,1998)Zinc forms the active enzymetic sites of many metalloproteases. The activity of the major enzyme regulating DNA replication, DNA polymerase, is zinc dependent. It is inhibited by zinc deficiency and zinc chelators and is enhanced by addition of low concentration s of idines , is also very sensitive to dietary zinc depletion.
Zinc and lymphocyte activation
Zinc plays a role in multiple aspects of T lymphocyte activation and signal transduction. Zinc has implication with tyrosine, an essential protein in the early step of T- cell activation.(Turner et al., 1990) Zinc stimulates autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues by tyrosine kinase and subsequent phosphorylation of the T-cell-receptor complex . (Zalewki, 1996)Zinc affects the phosphorylation of proteins that regulate activation and cell proliferation.
Zinc in antioxidant defence
Zinc protect cells from the damaging effect of oxygen radicals such as superoxide during immune activation. (Taylor and Bray ,1991)
Effects of zinc deficiency on barrier function
Zinc deficiency damages epidermal cells, resulting in skin lesions. (Shankar and Prasad, 1998)
Effects on zinc on immune-cell numbers
Zinc deficiency will lead to lymphopenia that occurs in both the central and peripheral lymphoid tissue. (Walsh et al., 1994) B-cell that develops in the bone marrow is adversely affected by zinc deficiency (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998)
Neutrophil functions
Neutrophil chemotaxis and functions are impaired in zinc deficiency (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998)Zinc improved the meutrophil response against Staphylococcus . (Singh et al ., 1994)
Monocyte functions
Chemotatic responses of monocytes are suppressed during zinc deficiency. (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998) Monocytes are impaired in killing of intracellur parasites and reduced in macrophage phagocytosis. (Schlesinger et al., 1993)
Natural killer cell function
Zinc deficiency caused a decrease in natural killer cells activity . (Walsh et al., 1994 Shankar and Prasad, 1998) Zinc mediated inhibition of natural killer cells activity decrease is due to natural killer cells inhibitory receptor requires zinc.( Rajagopalan et al ., 1995)
T and B-cell functions
B- cell proliferative and antibody responses are inhibited by zinc deficiency ( Moulder and Steward , 1989 ; Walsh et al ., 1994 ; Shankar and Prasad , 1998)T- dependent antibody responses are more affected by zinc deficiency than T-independent ones (Franker et al ., 1977 ,1978 ,1984 ,1986)
Effect on high doses of zinc
Very high zinc intake in adults and children can result in copper deficiency and this could cause immunosupression (Porter et al ., 1977 ; Prasad et al ., 1978 ; Fosmire , 1990)
The influence of zinc on conditions involving immunosupression
Patients suffering from sickle cell disease have depressed peripheral T-cell numbers ,and decreased natural killer cell activity .( Prasad ,200a) For patients with Down’s syndrome , zinc supplements can restore immediate hypersensitivity , lymphocyte functions and neutrophil chemotaxis and increase resistance to infection (Bjorksten et al ., 1980)
Other beneficial nutrients
Vitamin E
Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. It also enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. Vitamin E has been implicated in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Bioflavenoids
Bioflavenoids are phytonutrients that aids the immune system by protecting the cells of the body against environmental pollutants. A diet that contains of wide variety of fruits and vegetables will help you get the bioflavenoids needed to help your immune system work in top form.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
You can take in vitamin C from most fruits and vegetables. The top 7fruits that contain the most vitamin C are guava, papaya, strawberry, kiwi, cantaloupe, orange and grapefruit. If you take vitamin C supplements, it's best to space them throughout the day rather than take one large dose, because most may end up being excreted in the urine.
Selenium
This mineral increases natural killer cells and mobilizes cancer-fighting cells. Best food sources of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables, egg yolks, cottage cheese, sunflower seeds.
Omega-3 fatty acids
A study found that children taking a half teaspoon of flax oil a day experienced fewer and less severe respiratory infections and fewer days of being absent from school. The omega 3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria. (Essential fatty acids also protect the body against damage from over-reactions to infection. When taking essential fatty acid supplements, such as flax or fish oils, take additional vitamin E, which acts together with essential fatty acids to boost the immune system.
Interesting fact about the garlic.
This flavorful member of the onion family is a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production. The immune-boosting properties of garlic seem to be due to its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin and sulfides. Garlic can also act as an antioxidant that reduces the build-up of free radicals in the bloodstream. Garlic may also play a part in getting rid of potential carcinogens and other toxic substances. It is also a heart-friendly food since it keeps platelets from sticking together and clogging tiny blood vessels.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Do you know about LAUGHING THERAPY?
In America, Laughter therapy, also called humour therapy, is the use of humour to promote overall health and wellness. It aims to use the natural physiological process of laughter to help relieve physical or emotional stresses or discomfort.Over the years, researchers have conducted studies to explore the impact of laughter on health. After evaluating participants before and after a humorous event (i.e., a comedy video), studies have revealed that episodes of laughter helped to reduce pain, decrease stress-related hormones and boost the immune system in participants.
Today more than ever before, people are turning to humour for therapy and healing. Medical journals have acknowledged that laughter therapy can help improve quality of life for patients with chronic illnesses. Many hospitals now offer laughter therapy programs as a complementary treatment to illness.
According to some studies, laughter therapy may provide physical benefits, such as helping to:
Enhance oxygen intake
Stimulate the heart and lungs
Relax muscles throughout the body
Trigger the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers)
Ease digestion/soothes stomach aches
Relieve pain
Balance blood pressure
Improve mental functions (i.e., alertness, memory, creativity)
Laughter therapy may also help to:
Reduce stress/tension
Promote relaxation
Improve sleep
Enhance quality of life
Strengthen social bonds and relationships
Produce a general sense of well-being
Laughter Club is based not on humour or jokes, but rather on laughter as a physical exercise. One group laughter exercise involves patients standing in a circle, with the leader in the middle. Patients put their fingertips on their cheekbones, chest or lower abdomen and make “ha ha” or “hee hee” sounds until they felt vibrations through their bodies. During these exercises, it is hard for people not to join in because laughter is so contagious.
Other advantages of laughing:
Laughter relaxes the whole body.- A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. -Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Friday, February 5, 2010
References
- Jana Carrington. (2004). Caregiver Survival Site. Retrieved February 3, 2010, from http://www.caregiversurvivalsite.com/funfacts.htm
- Williams College: Peer Health. Facts About Stress: Positive Versus Negative Stress. Retrieved February 3, 2010, from http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/peerh/stress/stressfacts.html
- Dorie Eisenstein. (2010). Better Homes and Gardens: 10 Superfoods for Stress Relief. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved February 5, 2010, from http://www.bhg.com/health-family/mind-body-spirit/natural-remedies/superfoods-for-stress-relief/
- Stressfocus.com (2009). Food – The best and worst medicine for stress. Retrieved February 5, 2010, from http://www.stressfocus.com/stress_focus_article/stress-reduction-by-food.htm
- Nutritional Supplements Guide. (2009). Vitamins for Stress. Retrieved February 5, 2010, from http://www.nutritional-supplements-guide.com/vitamins-for-stress.html
- P.C Calder, C.J Field, H.S. Gill Nutrition and Immune Function (2002) US: CABI International
- Linda C. Harvey, M.A., PT. Humour for Healing (1998). US: The Psychological Corporation
- Esther M. S., M.D., The Balance Within (2001). US: Freeman
- Bruce S. R., Stress, Immune Function and Health (1999). US: Wiley-Liss, Inc
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