Exercise, Nutrition & Respiratory Infections

Question 1

What do we mean by ‘dietary immunostimulants’?

Answer 1

Dietary immunostimulants are food constituents or supplements that are claimed to boost immunity and reduce risk of infections

Include vitamins (A, C, D, E), minerals (Se, Zn) amino acids (glutamine), beta glucans, probiotics, bovine colostrum and polyphenols (e.g. quercetin)

In many cases the evidence for their efficacy reducing infections (pathogen resistance) in athletes is limited

Question 2

What is the impact of zink lozenges ?

Answer 2

Partially inhibits viral replication resulting in one third reduction in duration of common colds in general population.

Question 3

How can carbohydrate assist immune function.

Answer 3

Post exercise of over an hours duration can limit the reduction Th1 cells immediately post and 2 hours post.

Moreover, helps t-cell proliferate responses and CD4 cells migrate towards infected cells.

Question 4

Does CHO intake assist with URI ?

Answer 4

No, it has no effect.

Question 5

Can Vitamin C assist immune function ?

Answer 5

It is an antioxidant so can mop up some of the circulating free radicals in the system.

It can reduce URI by 50% in ultra endurance athletes but this is a small study.

But it has no reported effect on immune function in the general population but it does have some reported benefit in athletes.

Question 6

True or false ?

Vitamin C reduces the incidence of URI in the general population

Vitamin C reduces the duration of symptoms of URI in the general population

There is strong evidence to suggest vitamin C reduces incidence of URI in athlete groups

Vitamin C has been shown to boost immune function in athletes

Answer 6

Vitamin C reduces the incidence of URI in the general population - False

Vitamin C reduces the duration of symptoms of URI in the general population - True

There is strong evidence to suggest vitamin C reduces incidence of URI in athlete groups - False

Vitamin C has been shown to boost immune function in athletes - False

Question 7

What are probiotics and how do they work ?

Answer 7

• Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host’.
• Act to modify the intestinal microbiota
  Increase numbers of beneficial bacteria and decrease numbers of harmful species .
• Mechanisms of action?
  Help inhibit the growth and reduce any harmful effects of other bacteria, antigens, toxins and carcinogens in the gut,
• Interact with the gut –associated lymphoid tissue

Question 8

How do probiotics assist immune function?

Answer 8

Do not prevent infection occurring, but enhance ability to tolerate and deal with the infection once it has arrived.

They do not boost immune function, but can reduce losses in function.