Should You Feed A Viral Illness?

This Nature news article discusses emerging evidence that eating may acutely enhance immune responsiveness, particularly through effects on T cells, the learning part of the adaptive immune system. The paper centers on the old saying “feed a cold, starve a fever,” suggesting there may actually be biologic truth behind at least the “feed a cold” half of the proverb.

The article reviews a new study in mice and humans showing that T cells, key adaptive immune cells responsible for recognizing and attacking pathogens, behave differently depending on recent nutritional status. Researchers found that T cells from recently fed organisms proliferated more rapidly and mounted stronger activation responses compared with those from fasting states. In essence, nutrient availability appears to act as a metabolic “permission signal” for immune activation.

.... Enjoy, Dr. M

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