Is the immune system damaging the body? Autoimmune diseases on the rise in Japan - Nutritionist's Column Vol. 94
The autoimmune function has attracted more attention amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The term autoimmune function refers to the defense system that humans have to regulate the body, protect it from pathogens, and repair it when it is damaged.
When disease-causing substances such as pathogens, allergens, and cancer cells slip through the skin and mucous membranes and enter the body, or when waste products accumulate, immune cells detect these as "foreign bodies" and attack and eliminate them, thereby maintaining human health.
A functioning immune system is essential for good health.
However, did you know that in recent years in Japan, there has been an increase in a type of "autoimmune disease" in which this function does not work properly and causes physical discomfort?
Today we're going to talk about autoimmune diseases.
What are autoimmune diseases?
An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the body's ability to detect and attack foreign substances malfunctions , resulting in a variety of physical ailments.
Normally, the immune system only attacks foreign substances that are different from the cells and substances that make up one's own body, but when an autoimmune disease develops, it also attacks one's own normal tissues, damaging organs and tissues and causing physical discomfort.
The general treatment for autoimmune diseases is immunosuppressive therapy , which involves administering steroids to suppress inflammation and drugs to suppress the immune system.
However, administering steroid drugs only temporarily suppresses inflammation, and immunosuppressant therapy suppresses the function of the immune system itself, increasing the risk of developing cancer, infectious diseases, and other conditions, so it is currently not a fundamental solution.
The role of the immune system
An autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body, attacks the body itself.
What is happening inside the body?
To understand the root of this, let's understand the original role of the immune system.
Role of the immune system: 1. Finding cells other than self-cells <br data-mce-fragment="1">First, it finds cells that are different from self-cells (cells that you naturally have), such as invading foreign bodies or pathogens, and then attacks and eliminates them.
Role of the immune system 2. Produces antibodies <br data-mce-fragment="1">When a foreign substance or pathogen that the body has never encountered before, such as a new virus, enters the body, the body produces custom-made antibodies that attack and eliminate the substance.
Role of the immune system 3. Forming immune memory <br data-mce-fragment="1">Once infected with a pathogen, the body memorizes antibodies and distributes them throughout the body in preparation for re-invasion. It also prepares to produce additional antibodies at any time. This function prevents the risk of re-onset of the same disease or the worsening of the condition.
The role of the immune system 4. Controlling inflammation Inflammatory responses cause swelling, redness, pain and fever. They occur when the body is injured or infected by a foreign body or pathogen, and occur when immune cells fight against the pathogen. If this reaction becomes excessive, it can even damage normal cells, so the immune system also has the function of controlling this.
Inflammatory areas turn red as blood vessels expand and blood rushes in.
A large number of immune cells then flow into the body along with the blood and secrete specific protein molecules called cytokines to attack pathogens.
Cytokines are normally secreted only in the amount necessary to prevent illness or injury from worsening, but in autoimmune diseases, they are secreted in excessive amounts, causing inflammation to the point of damaging normal cells as well.
Innate and adaptive immunity
Why does the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body, attack itself?
To find out why, let's take a closer look at the two types of immune system that humans have.
There are two types of immune function: "innate immunity" and "acquired immunity."
Both of these are classified as white blood cells, and each has a different role in protecting the body from pathogens and viruses.
First, natural immunity .
These are immune systems that are naturally present in humans and are constantly working in the body.
Its role is to quickly detect and eliminate a wide range of foreign substances , including viruses and pathogens, that have slipped through the skin and mucous membranes.
Neutrophils directly attack pathogens, while eosinophils are skilled at eliminating parasites.
Dendritic cells transmit information about invading foreign invaders to the command center, T cells, and macrophages not only perform a transmitter function but also phagocytosis (eating, digesting, and killing the invaders themselves).
Natural immunity is made up of a variety of immune cells, including NK (natural killer) cells , which attack and eliminate virus-infected cells, cancer cells, and the body's own tumor cells.
Next, acquired immunity .
Also known as adaptive immunity , it is made up of two types of immune cells: T cells and B cells.
Compared to innate immunity, adaptive immunity has a slower initial onset but is much more effective .
T cells are a component of adaptive immunity.
T cells, a type of lymphocyte, function by receiving information about foreign invaders from macrophages and dendritic cells, which are part of the innate immune system.
T cells can be broadly divided into two types: helper T cells , which act as a command center and issue instructions to immune cells in the body to attack based on the information they receive, and killer T cells , which directly attack and eliminate infected cells when the body itself is infected with a virus or cancer cells.
Among these, regulatory T cells , a type of helper T cell, are closely related to autoimmune diseases.
By suppressing the activity of killer T cells, it suppresses excessive inflammatory responses caused by excessive secretion of cytokines, and ends the immune response at the appropriate time.
B cells also make up acquired immunity.
Like T cells, they are immune cells that belong to the lymphocyte category.
B cells receive information about invading pathogens (antigens) from innate immunity and helper T cells, and produce large amounts of antibodies specialized for eliminating them from the body. These functions prevent infection and the worsening of diseases.
Meanwhile, some of the B cells remain in the body as memory B cells and serve as protection against reinfection with the same disease a second or subsequent time.
Like B cells, some T cells become memory T cells , which remember information about pathogens that have once infected the body, such as viruses or cancer cells, and prevent reinfection or worsening of the disease.
In this way, immune function is maintained through the interactions between innate and adaptive immunity and the immune cells that make up them.
What you can do to prevent autoimmune diseases
Although there are still some aspects of autoimmune diseases that have not yet been fully elucidated, one of the causes is believed to be the outburst of immune cells, primarily T cells, caused by excessive secretion of cytokines.
In order to suppress the excessive secretion of cytokines that cause the disease, it is considered important to enhance immune tolerance (the ability to accept foreign substances that have entered the body rather than eliminating them).
On the other hand, simply deepening immune tolerance can make people more susceptible to infectious diseases and cancer.
This is the problem with side effects of immunosuppressant therapy.
An ideal treatment would not blindly tolerate the immune system, but would create an optimal state in which only a specific immune system (one that attacks healthy cells) is tolerated.
To that end, we introduce recommended lifestyle and dietary improvements from a nutritionist's perspective.
What you can do: 1. Get a good night's sleep
In addition to recovering from fatigue, sleep also plays an important role in maintaining immune function .
Getting enough sleep increases the secretion of antibacterial substances in saliva, helping to make the body less susceptible to illness.
It also regulates the autonomic nervous system, which is said to reduce stress and stabilize immune function.
The amount of sleep is important, but the quality of sleep is just as important.
To improve the quality of your sleep, avoid alcohol and caffeine before going to bed and prepare yourself for deep sleep before going to bed.
For more information on sleep, please see this article .
What you can do 2. Incorporate moderate exercise into your daily life
Moderate exercise for a short period of time increases the number of NK (natural killer) cells, which are a part of the natural immune system.
NK cells prevent infection by cancer cells and viruses from the early stages, helping to balance the body's immune function.
For more information on exercise, please see this column .
What you can do 3. Maintain a balanced diet
To keep your immune system strong, it is important to eat a well-balanced diet on a daily basis.
Make sure you're getting enough protein (such as fish, meat, legumes), carbohydrates (such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables), healthy fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish, avocado, and nuts), vitamins , and minerals .
In addition, it is important not only to focus on boosting your immune system, but also to be strongly aware of strengthening your immune system.
Below are some dietary tips to boost your immunity.
-To improve your intestinal environment, be sure to consume lactic acid bacteria drinks and fermented foods as well as dietary fiber.
-Avoid artificial sweeteners and food additives as much as possible, as they disrupt the intestinal environment.
- Include anti-inflammatory foods such as nuts, berries, and ginger. For non-vegans, we also recommend eating oily fish such as mackerel and salmon, which are rich in omega-3.
-To balance female hormones, incorporate adaptogens such as holy basil , rooibos tea , maca , and goji berries into your daily routine.
-Try incorporating superfoods like turmeric and cat's claw, which help regulate inflammatory cytokines.
lastly
Autoimmune diseases are considered to be one of the modern diseases whose incidence has been increasing in modern times, like lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer and cerebral infarction.
In today's society, where urbanization, industrialization, and IT are progressing, I believe that our bodies are being exposed to invisible electromagnetic waves, stress, exhaust fumes, and pollutants, causing abnormalities.
It might be a good idea to get out of the city and get in touch with nature, meet up with an old friend and have a casual conversation, or just spend some time doing nothing and taking a nap, or making an effort to get closer to nature.
To live happily, healthily and joyfully today and tomorrow.
Let's not only focus on boosting our immunity, but also on keeping it in good condition!
GRON's protein blend is packed with a variety of superfoods, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols.
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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara
A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.
With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.
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