For a while now we\u2019ve been in the throes of the coronavirus. Most of us have never experienced empty grocery store shelves, social distancing, and unemployment due to a virus. Because COVID-19 is novel, one we\u2019ve never seen before, we don\u2019t have a vaccine or other solution. What we do have though is something that has contributed to mankind\u2019s survival throughout history\u2014the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The immune system is our internal battalion. However, while it can protect us from a myriad of foes, it can also become an enemy. Autoimmune conditions are an example of an immune system gone rogue. We need an immune system that is vigilant and decisive without overreacting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the dangers of the coronavirus is, reportedly, the resulting \u2018cytokine storm.\u2019 Cytokines are the hormones of the immune system. They are the chemical messengers that elicit action and response. There are cytokines that promote inflammation and cell death, which may sound like an odd function for a healthy immune system but it has its place. Out of place, however, pro-inflammatory cytokines play a role in diagnoses such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEveryone\u2019s talking about cytokine storm as if it were a well-recognized phenomenon, but you could have asked medics two weeks ago and they wouldn\u2019t have heard of it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Our immune system also produces anti-inflammatory cytokines, which balance out the cytokine family. A cytokine storm occurs when \u201cthe body releases too many cytokines into the blood too quickly. Cytokines play an important role in normal immune responses, but having a large amount of them released in the body all at once can be harmful. A cytokine storm can occur as a result of an infection\u2026 Signs and symptoms include high fever, inflammation\u2026 severe fatigue and nausea. Sometimes, a cytokine storm may be severe or life threatening and lead to multiple organ failure.\u201d1<\/sup> A cytokine storm is a dangerous overreaction of the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Jessica Manson, an immunologist at University College London Hospital says, \u201cEveryone\u2019s talking about cytokine storm as if it were a well-recognized phenomenon, but you could have asked medics two weeks ago and they wouldn\u2019t have heard of it.\u201d In some situations \u201cthe immune system keeps raging long after the virus is no longer a threat. It continues to release cytokines that keep the body on an exhausting full alert. In their misguided bid to keep the body safe, these cytokines attack multiple organs including the lungs and liver, and may eventually lead to death\u2026 In these people, it\u2019s their body\u2019s response, rather than the virus, that ultimately causes harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCytokine storms can overtake people of any age, but some scientists believe that they may explain why healthy young people died during the 1918 pandemic and more recently during the SARS, MERS and H1N1 epidemics.\u201d2<\/sup> The immune system launches its attack against the virus but in some cases goes overboard. Acute lung injury can result. This is thought to be behind the most severe cases of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making sure the immune system doesn\u2019t overreact is vital to health. One company of the T cell division of our internal military is the regulatory T cells, T regs for short. These cells regulate our immunity, preventing a hyper-immune response and inhibiting cytokine production. They provide balance between disease-causing microbes and the risk of developing autoimmunity or overwhelming inflammation. They play a crucial role in balancing two arms of the immune system. When one overreacts we tend to see autoimmune conditions, whereas when the other overreacts we might see allergies. T regs can calm down both arms. They\u2019re also protective in viral infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how we can support healthy T reg function?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maintaining a healthy weight is important as excess abdominal adiposity impacts immunity and circulating T regs.3<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
When one overreacts we tend to see autoimmune conditions, whereas when the other overreacts we might see allergies.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Sufficient levels of vitamin D from adequate sunshine exposure or supplementation are crucial to optimal T reg status. Higher levels of vitamin D are thought to play a role in promoting anti-inflammatory functions, including increasing the number and\/or function of T regs.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies have also found vitamin A deficiency to factor in to imbalanced immune responses. A positive correlation has been observed between vitamin A and T regs: meaning the more serum vitamin A, the more T reg population.5<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polyphenols are micronutrients that have been shown to dampen the inflammatory response and promote T reg cells. They\u2019re found in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Increasing our intake of these foods supports healthy immunity in multiple ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our gut flora, aka microbiota, has a profound effect on the immune system and T regs. Intimate communication goes on between the gut flora and the immune system. Experimentation with various strains of supplemental probiotics has resulted in modulating numbers and activity of T regs.6<\/sup> Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are by-products of the gut bacteria. A healthy, diverse gut flora produces these beneficial substances. SCFAs enhance the expression of T reg cells. In contrast, antibiotics can result in a reduction of T regs.7<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have not been left helpless. God\u2019s promises are more powerful than life or death or any virus. \u201cIt is of the Lord\u2019s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness\u201d (Lamentations 3:22, 23).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, NIH,<\/em> https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/publications\/dictionaries\/cancer-terms\/def\/797584<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Apoorva Mandavill, \u201cThe Corona virus patients betrayed by their own immune system,\u201d The New York Times<\/em>, April 1, 2020 https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/04\/01\/health\/coronavirus-cytokine-storm-immune-system.html<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. N. Wagner, \u201cCirculating regulatory T cells are reduced in obesity and may identify subjects at increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk,\u201d Obesity<\/em>, March 2013 https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/23592653<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Sheila Fisher et al., \u201cThe role of vitamin D in increasing circulating T regulatory cell numbers and modulating T regulatory cell phenotypes in patients with inflammatory disease or in healthy volunteers: A systematic review,\u201d PloS one,<\/em> September 24, 2019, https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6759203\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Dina Fettouh et al., \u201cStudy the relationship between vitamin A deficiency, T helper 17, regulatory T cells, and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus,\u201d Egy Rheum & Rehab<\/em>, October 1, 2019, http:\/\/err.eg.net\/article.asp?issn=1110-161X;year=2019;volume=46;issue=4;spage=244;epage=250;aulast=Fettouh;type=3<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas<\/a>, Roman Teimer<\/a>, and Robert Bockermann<\/a>, \u201cInfluence of Dietary Components on Regulatory T Cells,\u201d Mol Med<\/em>, November 16, 2011, https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3276397\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rebecca Arroyo Hornero et al., \u201cThe Impact of Dietary Components on Regulatory T Cells and Disease,\u201d Immunol<\/em>, February 21, 2020, https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fimmu.2020.00253\/full<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n