NUT- Immune support Week 1

Question 1

SUGAR

Answer 1

Too much sugar intake may have a deleterious effect on immune function, especially when fighting a bacterial infection

Pro-Inflammatory proteins (TNF-alpha,CRP,IL-6)
Changes to the microbiome
Simple carbohydrates can decrease the phagocytic capacity of neutrophils (function not number was altered) - Effects can last up to 5 hours

Question 2

What to eat for better immunity?

Answer 2

Look to reducing obvious refined sugars, i.e. cookies, cakes, pastries, candies, sugary beverages, INSTEAD:
Eat whole fruits or blended in smoothies for natural sweetness
Fill up with whole fruits, vegetables,healthy protein,fibre, and complex carbs
For a sore throat, instead of ice cream, try making a home iced made lolly made from herbal tea and lemon

Question 3

What to eat for mild to moderate pharyngitis?

Answer 3

Aka Mild to moderate pharyngitis: Adequate hydration, salt water gargles, demulcents (teas or powders of marshmallow root, slippery elm powder, licorice etc), acetominphen/ibuprofen, soothing throat lozenges, honey (not appropriate for age <1 due to risk for Botulism)

Question 4

Ensure enough dietary protein

Answer 4

A deficiency in dietary protein/ amino acids impairs immune function and increases susceptibility to infection. Amino Acids are important to:

Activate T-lymphcytes, B-lymphocytes, NK cells, & macrophages

Lymphocyte proliferation

Production of antibodies & cytokines

Review typical diet to see if meeting dietary goals, consider increasing dietary protein with:
Homemade bone broth &Homemade chicken noodle soup
Congee made with bone broth,added chicken/ eggs
Rice and lentils
Homemade Jell-O/ Protein smoothie

Question 5

Honey for healing

Answer 5

Natural antimicrobial properties
Decreases inflammation
Symptomatic management by easing discomfort
Not for infants under 1 yoa, due to risk of Clostridium botulinum
Try as: lemon and honey tea, iced lolly, lozenge

Question 6

PROBIOTICS

Answer 6

Supports healthy microbiome, especially with/ following antibiotic use

Safe and well-tolerated

Streptococcus salivarius K12 (SsK12) may offer specific support with Strep throat infection, but more research needed

Question 7

VITAMIN D

Answer 7

Supports healthy microbiome, especially with/ following antibiotic use
Safe and well-tolerated
Streptococcus salivarius K12 (SsK12) may offer specific support with Strep throat infection, but more research needed

Question 8

Vitamin D supplementation

Answer 8

Active Form, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Fat-soluble vitamin,liquid/ gel cap formula taken with food/ main meal

Can dose appropriate to Vitamin D status if known

Over 2,500 IU Vitamin D3 = Rx in Ontario (Over 1,000IU in BC)

Given clear directions with dose and duration, too much can lead to toxicity

Question 9

VITAMIN C

Answer 9

The total efficacy, the time for symptom amelioration, and the time for healing, were better with vitamin C supplementation than with antiviral therapy alone.

Vitamin C could be used as a supplementary therapy along with antiviral regimens to relieve patients from the symptoms of common cold.

The Upper tolerable intake level (UL) for vitamin C is 2 g/d
Most common adverse effects of high doses of oral vit C are gastrointestinal:

Gastric irritation from the decreased pH of the stomach contents

Intestinal gas, bloating, cramping, and pain cause by unabsorbed vitamin C metabolized by the colonic bacteria

Diarrhea caused by unabsorbed vitamin C in the colon

Dental erosion (chewable and powdered ascorbic acid only)

Increasing vitamin C intake does cause an increase in the urinary excretion of uric acid.

a large 20-year prospective study showed a decreased risk of gout with increased vitamin C intake from both food and supplemental sources.

Question 10

ZINC

Answer 10

Zinc has been evaluated as a potential treatment for the common cold

17 trials involving 2121 participants were included in the meta-analysis

Zinc was found to shorten the duration of cold symptoms compared to placebo (mean difference -1.65 days)

Zinc was more effective in adults (mean difference -2.63 days) than in children (mean difference -0.26 days)

Adverse events such as bad taste and nausea were more common in the zinc group than in the placebo group

Question 11

What would your dietary treatment recommendation look like?

Answer 11

Depends on the individual:
Chosen diet & preferences, i.e. vegetarian/ vegan
Allergies
Age
Accessibility/ availability
Past Medical history and presenting illness

Ie Considerations for diabetics (not going to prescribe honey or sweetened beverages/teas for sore throat etc)