Exercise, Nutrition and Immune Function Flashcards
What are the effects of exercise on the Immune System?
– Moderate levels of activity enhance immunity
– Prolonged activity and strenuous, high intensity training increases susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection and infuennza
What is the “open window” of immuno-depression after intense, prolonged (>90 min) of exercise?
– increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infection and influenza
Mechanisms
– Increased stress hormones (cortisol and epinephrine)
– reductions in blood sugar
What is the impact of the “open window” of immuno-depression after intense, prolonged (>90 min) of exercise?
– Reduced function of leukocytes (white blood cells)
– Transient reduction in lymphocyte and natural killer cell numbers
– reduced antibody protection
– Increased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines
What are some nutritional strategies that help to maintain/boost immunity?
– adequate CHO intake during exercise – Post-exercise protein intake – adequate fruit and vegetable intake – Vitamin D3 – Probiotics – Colostrum
What are the effects of CHO ingestion during exericse on the mechanisms of immuno-depression?
– prevents low blood sugar
– reduces cortisol, epinephrine and anti-inflammatory cytokines
What are the effects of vitamin D3 on the mechanisms of immuno-depression?
– increased production of antimicrobial proteins
– improved gut barrier function
– Increased NK cytolytic activity
– Increased production of reactive oxygen species by phagolytic cells
What are the effects of probiotics on the mechanisms of immuno-depression?
– anti-pathogenic
– direct-immunomodulatory effects
What are the effects of colostrum on the mechanisms of immuno-depression?
– contains antibodies, enzymes, gangliosides, growth factors, minerals and vitamins
What are gangliosides?
gangliosides act as “decoy” molecules for bacteria and improved gut barrier function
