5 common eating habits that weaken the immune system

Various studies have found that there are 5 common eating habits that can weaken and even destroy our immune system.

With the outbreak of the Corona epidemic, we are all groping for ways to maintain our immunity, and we are trying to stay away from eating habits that can harm our bodies’ natural defense mechanisms.

The Walla website monitored in a report these common food habits that weaken our immunity:

1 . Not knowing the difference between the types of fats you consume

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are an important component of our diet and contribute to the intensification of many processes in the body. Both are healthy and essential fatty acids, but our diet today usually contains very high levels of omega-6 and very low levels of omega-3.

Studies show that a high level of omega-6 in the diet may increase the production of inflammatory proteins, which may impair the immune response.

On the other hand, other studies show that when more omega-3s are consumed, the production of these proteins decreases and the immune response strengthens.

An interesting study of obese people found that people who consume more omega-6s are more likely to develop diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Therefore, experts recommend eating more omega-3-rich foods such as nuts and chia seeds, and fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines.

On the other hand, it is certainly possible to eat foods that contain omega-6, but to a lesser extent. This list mainly includes oils based on corn, soybean, canola and sunflower.
2. You can not give up grilled, fried or processed meat

In recent years, awareness of the danger of increased consumption of substances called advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has risen. These are the end products of the amino acid glycation process, or simply, substances formed in various food processing processes, such as grilling or frying.

One study that examined averages of AGEs in 549 different foods found that they were found in the highest concentrations in sausage, roast chicken (with the skin removed) and roast steak.

A number of studies from recent years also show that AGEs are molecules that can weaken the immune system in several ways, including increasing the rate of inflammation in the body, impairing antioxidant activity, and disrupting the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
3. You think sugar substitutes are good for you

Everyone knows that sugar is bad for health, but sometimes the desire to avoid it can do more harm than good. It is now known that some artificial sweeteners may alter the bacterial balance in the gut, increase gastrointestinal inflammation and impair the immune response to infection.

One study, for example, found that an artificial sweetener known as sucralose can upset the balance of good bacteria in the gut.

Another study found that another sweetener called saccharin may have a similar effect. Another study found that regular and long-term use of sweeteners in general may weaken the immune system’s response to various threats.
4. Too much sugar

So you don’t think the recommendation to avoid artificial sweeteners is an invitation to go back to plain white sugar – here’s an important clarification: sugar, as it is known, also puts health at risk in a number of aspects.

In fact, any food that contains large amounts of sugar raises blood sugar levels, which also increases the rate of inflammatory proteins in the body.
Studies show that sudden “jumps” in blood sugar levels can impair the activity of components of the immune system such as neutrophils and phagocytes. These are two types of cells in the immune system that help fight infections and are important components of our immune defense.
5. Add salt to everything you eat

Like sugar, no one has the slightest doubt that high levels of table salt don’t help — but here’s an interesting study that shows just how dramatic that can be.

In 2016, six brave men took part in an experiment in which they consumed 12 grams of salt for fifty days. Then they reduced their salt intake to 9 grams for another fifty days and then to 6 grams for the same period. Finally, they went back to eating 12 grams of salt for another month.

The study showed that during the periods when the men consumed the most salt, their blood had a high level of white blood cells called monocytes, a high level of inflammatory proteins and a low level of a protein called IL-10 that fights inflammation. The researchers explained that this indicates an excessive immune response that may be harmful to health.

Salt, or more precisely sodium, is an important component in the proper functioning of the body in general, and the immune system in particular.

The problem is that our diet today includes a lot of it, at a level that according to various studies may increase the incidence of autoimmune diseases and even, according to one study, worsen the condition of those already dealing with autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis and arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.