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The Big Three in Nutritional Modulation of Immunosenescence

Posted by Manuela Boyle on 15 January 2022
The Big Three in Nutritional Modulation of Immunosenescence

Evidence increasingly suggests that organismic ageing and increased senescent cell burden are related to ageing and imbalanced immune function. Particular types of food components are emerging as mediators of cellular autophagy, immune expression, cells’ resistance to ageing processes, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and of cell and tissue rejuvenation.

Especially promising nutritional factors include phytonutrient polyphenols (like EGCG and quercetin), probiotic bacteria (with many Lactobacillus species represented in research), and omega-3 fatty acids.

Immunosenescence is broadly considered the ageing-related alterations in the targeting accuracy of the immune system targeting and the overall efficiency of the immune response.

These functional changes are associated with:

? Accumulation of aged, damaged, or dysfunctional immune cells due to insufficient cell and tissue rejuvenation as well as resistance to normal cellular apoptosis
? Shifts in the overall balance among the many adaptive and innate immune cell types, due in part to altered regulation of cell replication and clonal expansion
? Changes in the signalling behaviours and cytokine secretion of ageing immune cells—their senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP)

While heightened propensity towards inflammation is often thought of as the hallmark of immunosenescence, it can also result in other syndromes of immune imbalance such as autoimmunity, immunosuppression, cancer, and hypersensitivity.

Dietary makeup has long been linked to mortality, frailty, and physical and mental disease burden, but recent research alludes to the value of particular dietary components that may impact immunosenescence via multiple mechanisms of action. 

Reference:

Sharma R, Padwad Y. Nutraceuticals-Based Immunotherapeutic Concepts and Opportunities for the Mitigation of Cellular Senescence and Aging: A Narrative Review. Ageing Res Rev 2020;63:101141.

Author:Manuela Boyle
Tags:NewsPrevention & RecoveryEvidence Based ResearchCancer

Associations

  • The Institute for Functional Medicine
  • Society for Integrative Oncology
  • Naturopaths and Herbalists Association of Australia
  • Australian Traditional-Medicine Society
  • British Naturopathic Association