The famous quote from Ludwig Feuerbach: “A person is what he eats” is often said just like that, but nothing is truer than this sentence. What we eat has a direct impact on our body and health. Most of the time we are not aware that the food we eat forms our body and that all metabolic processes must take place with them. With nutritional research, these processes are uncovered and knowledge is acquired about how food, individual characteristics and living conditions interact and what consequences this interaction has on our health.
Diet is a critical determinant of immune responses and malnutrition is the most common cause of immune deficiency worldwide.1 A lack of protein energy results in a significant impairment of cell-mediated immunity and phagocyte function, i.e. the scavenger cells that are responsible for eliminating bacteria and dead body cells are needed. The complement system, which is responsible for the recognition, dissolution and removal of exogenous cells, is disturbed, and other secretory immunoglobulin A antibody concentrations and cytokine production are impaired.
The immune system is important. Much like having an army of its own, it protects the body from attack by invaders (such as bacteria, fungi and viruses), which protects the body from infection and various types of cancer. And it’s also wise to “remember” certain infections often so that the immune system is ready to attack invaders the next time. But like any other body system, the immune system can deteriorate if not treated well.
A lack of individual nutrients can lead to altered immune reactions. This is also observed when the deficiency condition is relatively mild. Of the micronutrients, zinc, selenium, iron, copper have vitamins A, C, E and B-6; and folic acid are important influences on immune responses.1 Overeating and obesity also reduce immunity. In young as well as older people, the impaired immunity can be improved even by small amounts of a combination of micronutrients. Herbalife Vitamin & Mineral Complex is a comprehensive dietary supplement with 24 important nutrients, including micronutrients, which the body cannot produce itself or cannot produce sufficiently.
From young to old, aging is associated with an increase in the level of inflammatory markers in the blood, commonly referred to as “inflammation”. The inflammatory response is useful as an acute, transient response to harmful conditions and facilitates defense, repair, and turnover of many tissues. Chronic, albeit minor, inflammation is harmful to many tissues and to their normal functions.2 These processes can be counteracted through nutritional interventions with micronutrients. Vitamins A and C in particular help support a normal immune system and counteract oxidative stress. We recommend Roseguard from HerBALIFE.
Traditionally, the Mediterranean diet is recommended as a long-running favorite for healthy aging. In addition, the epigenetic effects of diet on the aging process – through reducing calories and consuming foods such as, orange juice, probiotics, and prebiotics – have attracted scientific interest. Some, like dark chocolate, nuts, beans, avocados are favored as anti aging foods due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 3
Herbalife’s gourmet tomato soup with Mediterranean herbs can be prepared in no time and is also high in protein.
1-Chandra RK. Nutrition and the immune system from birth to old age. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56:Suppl 3:S73-6.
2-Calder PC, et al. Health relevance of the modification of low grade inflammation in ageing (inflammageing) and the role of nutrition. Ageing Res Rev. 2017;40:95-119.
3-Chrysohoou C, Stefanadis C. Longevity and diet. Myth or pragmatism? Maturitas. 2013 ;76(4):303-7.
