Sugar consumption lowers the immune system

Published in Infect Immun. 1971 Jul;4(1):54-9.

Influence of glucose levels on the in vitro phagocytosis of bacteria by human neutrophils.
Van Oss CJ.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4117287

High blood sugar decreases the immune system's ability to fight bacterial infections.

Diets high in sugar and carbohydrates lead to high blood glucose. See here.

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High carb foods lower the immune system

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 26, 1180-1184,

Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis
Albert Sanchez 1, J. L. Reeser 1, H. S. Lau 1, P. Y. Yahiku 1, R. E. Willard 1, P. J. McMillan 1, S. Y. Cho 1, A. R. Magie 1, and U. D. Register 1
1 From the Departments of Nutrition, Biostatistics, and Environmental Health in the School of Health, and the Department of Microbiology, Pathology, and Anatomy in the School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92354

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ajcn.org/content/26/11/1180.abstract

A major part of our immunity relies on cells called neutrophils, a type of leukocyte or white blood cell, which circulate in our blood streams and mop up any bacteria, viruses or other foreign bodies they come across. This process is called phagocytosis. The measure of how many organisms one leukocyte can eat in an hour is called the 'leukocytic index' (LI). It is a simple measure: if a leukocyte eats 10 organisms in an hour, its leukocytic index is 10.

The study investigated the effect that various sugars had on reducing the leukocytes ability to ingest and kill off invading bacteria. It revealed that:
(a) glucose reduced the leukocytic index from 16.2 to 9.6 - a drop of  40.5%
(b) fructose reduced the leukocytic index from 15.5 to 8.5 - a drop of 45.1%
(c) sucrose reduced the leukocytic index from 15.2 to 8.6 - a drop of 44%
(d) honey reduced the leukocytic index from 15.9 to 9.7 - a drop of 39%
(e) orange juice reduced the leukocytic index from 16.6 to 9.6 - a drop of 42.1%
(f) starch reduced the leukocytic index from 15.7 to 13.6 - a drop of 13.4%

The greatest effects occur between 1 and 2 hr after a meal, but the effects were still significant 5 hr after feeding.

Any person who eats largely carbohydrate-based meals, particularly those containing sugars, and snacks with carbohydrate-based meals spread throughout the day, could lose up to half their immunity to disease for much of the waking day.

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High blood sugar levels are associated with significantly higher infection and mortality rates in trauma patients.

This post contains a summary of a paper published in The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care: May 2004 - Volume 56 - Issue 5 - pp 1058-1062 and a recipe for flounder fillet with dill vegetables.

Study title and authors: 
Relationship of Early Hyperglycemia to Mortality in Trauma Patients

Books:

Laird, Amanda M. MD; Miller, Preston R. MD; Kilgo, Patrick D. MS; Meredith, J. Wayne MD; Chang, Michael C. MD

The paper can be accessed at: http://www.jtrauma.com/pt/re/jtrauma/abstract.00005373-200405000-00019.htm;jsessionid=HXhN0hnJG1Dx92xZmFXv9Zlc1q9npHf74JnJvPmSzqf9PBLTn8bC!65375592!181195628!8091!-1

The paper identified that high blood sugar levels are associated with significantly higher infection and mortality rates in trauma patients.

High blood sugar levels are the result of a high carbohydrate diet. See here

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Flounder Fillet with Dill Vegetables

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Flounder Fillets

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp. dill weed

2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, cut in thin strips
1 fresh tomato, diced
1 pound fresh flounder fillet

Instructions:
Heat oil in skillet over low heat. Add dill and garlic. Stir to prevent browning. Add carrots and sauté for 7 minutes. Add tomato and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. Place flounder fillet in the center of a square of foil. Pour carrot-tomato mixture over the fish. Fold foil so that fish is completely enclosed. Place in baking dish and bake for 7-10 minutes in a 325F oven. Serve immediately.

Flounder Fillet

High blood sugar lowers the immune system

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Critical Care Medicine 2005 Jul;33(7):1624-33 and a recipe for citrus roast chicken.

Study title and authors:
Acute hyperglycemia and the innate immune system: clinical, cellular, and molecular aspects.

Books:

Turina M, Fry DE, Polk HC Jr.

Department of Surgery, the Price Institute of Surgical Research, University of Louisville School of Medicine, University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY, USA.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16003073&query_hl=11

This paper was a review of many studies. It found high blood sugar levels lowered our immune systems and impaired our abilty to fight infections.

High blood sugar levels are caused by high carbohydrate diets. See here

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 

Recipe of the day

Citrus Roast Chicken

Ingredients:

•About 5 tbsp coconut oil (or lard, tallow, butter);

Food Mall: Chicken

•3 lemons or limes (if using limes, use 4);

•1 whole chicken (about 4 1/2 pounds);
•3 tbsp grated fresh ginger;
•Salt and pepper to taste.

Technique:
1.Preheat your oven to 425 F. Grate the zest 1 lemon and then cut it in quarters.

2.Wipe the chicken dry and place it in a roasting pan.

3.Mix 1 tbsp of the grated ginger with the citrus zest. Rub the citrus mixture in the chicken cavity with some added salt and pepper if wanted. Add the quartered lemon inside the cavity.

4.Juice the remaining lemons with the remaining 2 tbsp ginger and also add the melted coconut oil. Brush the chicken with the mixture.

5.Put in the oven for 15 minutes.

6.After 15 minutes, baste the chicken and reduce the heat to 375 F.

7.After another 25 minutes, baste again, turn the chicken on his breast and cook for an other 25 minutes.

8.At this point, verify the doneness of the chicken by verifying if the juices run clear when you cut the thickest part of the breast. You can also verify with a meat thermometer (should be 160 F in the breast and at least 170 F in the thigh).

9.When ready, remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 15 minutes.

10.Garnish with extra citrus wedges if wanted on a bed of steamed vegetables or spinach. Use the citrus, coconut oil and ginger cooking juice as a sauce.

11.Enjoy!