Impact of obesity on immunity system

Obesity, the greater public health problem in the world. Obesity is an epidemic disease characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation associated with a dysfunctional fat mass. Obesity causes a state of chronic inflammation, and this causes your immune system to become compromised. 

People with obesity are more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including: Heart disease and strokes. Obesity makes you more likely to have high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for heart disease and strokes.

Influenza (the flu) - obesepatients were beginning to show up in disproportionate numbers in intensive care units, and they were staying for longer than people who were not obese or overweight. Increased inflammation due to increased pro-inflammatory cytokines appeared to be a leading factor contributing to their increased flu risk.

Heart Disease - Heart disease is the leading killer of adults in the United States. The main culprits are, again, the cytokines produced by excess fat in the body.  These cytokines cause inflammation of the walls of your arteries, causing damage to the arteries and increasing pressure. 

Diabetes - Diabetes is a condition characterized by insulin resistance – the inability of your body to remove excess sugar from your blood. Just like heart disease, there are many related factors that lead to the onset of type 2 diabetes, and obesity has long been associated with the development of diabetes.

A compromised immune system and inflammation aren’t issues that only concern overweight people. Many people know that being overweight and obese is unhealthy and can lead to serious diseases over time.  Admittedly, poor diet and low levels of activity contributing to heart disease and diabetes over time in obese people isn’t exactly news.

Unless you start to take into account what the word “obese” actually means. Obesity has been defined by having a high Body Mass Index (BMI), a way of expressing the relationship of your weight vs. your height.  If your BMI exceeds 25, you’re labeled “overweight,” and once your BMI increases beyond 30, you progress into different levels of obesity.

Obesity and Immune Function

A person affected by obesity that eats healthy and exercises is still at risk for decreasing immune function. Obesity itself has been shown to impair immunity in some studies. Some of these specific findings include:

• Decreased cytokine production
• Altered monocyte and lymphocyte function
• Natural killer cell dysfunction
• Reduced macrophage and dendritic cell function
• Decreased response to antigen/mitogen stimulation

The main points for you to take away.

• Excess Body fat sabotages your immune system by leaving it permanently triggered
• Inflammation caused by body fat makes you sicker and more vulnerable to disease
• You can reduce and reverse these changes by reducing your body fat
• Anyone can be at risk, depending on their body fat percentage, not their weight

Once you have your body fat percentage, you can compare it against the normal ranges for men and women.  For men, you’ll want to be no higher than about 20% body fat; for women, try to stay under about 28%. These ranges may vary slightly depending on whichever source you consult, but these are good guidelines and agree with the ranges set by the American College of Sports Medicine and American Council on Exercise.

If you reduce your fat mass to a healthy range, you will subsequently reduce inflammation and boost your immune system. 

How to Get Your Immune System Back In Line

Obese patients who lost weight with healthy caloric restriction, the researchers observed a significant reduction in immune system activation, which means less inflammation.  

1. A healthy diet is key to a strong immune system. This means making sure you eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.
2. A healthy diet can help ensure you're getting sufficient amounts of the micronutrients that play a role in maintaining your immune system, including:

• Vitamin B6, found in chicken, salmon, bananas, green vegetables and potatoes (with the skin)
• Vitamin C, found in citrus fruit, including oranges, kiwi, kinnu, papaya  and strawberries, as well as Capsicums, amla, coriander leaves, tomatoes, broccoli and spinach
• Vitamin E, found in almonds, sunflower and safflower oil, sunflower seeds, peanut butter and spinach

1. Water plays many important roles in your body, including supporting your immune system.
2. Physical activity improve immune function is by boosting your overall circulation, making it easier for immune cells and other infection-fighting molecules to travel more easily throughout your body. 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise every day helps stimulate your immune system. 
3. Deep breathing, mediation, prayer or exercise, you should also get familiar with the activities that help you reduce stress.