Anti-AgingMedicine

by Ronald Klatz, MD, DO, andRobert Goldman, MD, PhD, DO, FAASP

www.worldhealth.net

Anti-Aging Medical Insights on the Immune System Link to DiseaseAs we age, our immune systems

experience a reduced efficiency,the result of which serves as a majorcontributor to the pathology of oldage. Cofactors such as age-relateddiseases and nutritional deficienciesworsen the effect of compromisesin immune function. Presently, riskassessment and preventive measuresto proactively slow the declineof immune functions are the bestapproaches to improve immunefunction as we age. To help youachieve an optimal immune system,we review recent studies that revealthe immune system link to disease.We also recap some of the latestdiscoveries that relate to optimizingthe immune system, to improve yourodds of living a long, healthy, happy,rewarding, productive life.

Influenza May Raise Risk of HeartAttack

Andrew C. Hayward and col-leagues from UCL Centre forInfectious Disease Epidemiology,Royal Free Hospital (London, UK)completed a meta-analysis of datafrom 39 randomized controlled trialsconducted between 1932 and 2008.The researchers found that the studiesshowed an increase in deaths fromheart disease and more heart attacksduring influenza season, with excessdeaths as a result of heart diseaseaveraging 35% to 50%.Wdrtpn-Cash C, Smpprh L, H.ivwafd AC influenza M a Iriggerlot dcute myocatttiiil inturtiioo or de«iih ftum rardiovdsculatrlisMie: ä •iysiemjtlc fevjew, Uiicei Inteci Dis. Odobei2009;9(10);60l-6lO;doi:10.10l6/SM73-309<I[09)70233-6,

Sharing a Hospital Room IncreasesRisk of 'Superbugs'

In that the potential for transmissionof health care-associated infections(HAIs) in the hospital setting posesserious medical risks to patients,Dick Zoutman and colleaguesfrom Queens University (Ontario,Canada) evaluated the associationbetween roommate exposures andthe risk of HAis. The researchersstudied a group of adult patientsadmitted to a Canadian teachinghospital between )une 30, 2001,and December 31, 2005. The teamcharacterized exposures as total dailyroommate exposures and daily uniqueroommate exposures, tracking formethicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus (VRE), and Clostridiumdifficile. They found that the numberof roommate exposures per day wassignificantly associated with MRSAand VRE infection or colonization,and a significant association alsowas found for number of uniqueroommate exposures per day andVRE as well. Writing, "The significantassociations found between dailyroommate exposures and theinfection outcomes suggest a possiblerole for limiting patient-to-patientcontact in an infection preventionand control program in this facility,"the team urges: "These findings haveimplications for the deployment anddesign of acute care hospitals."

Hamel M, Zouiman D, O'Calljghan C, Exposure to hospitaltuommates as a risk factor for health car^asiociatedinfection. Am I Inlea Control. 21 Dec 2009; E>Ol; 10.1016/j.ajlc,2009,08,016.

Apples Promote Immune HealthChronic inflammation, linked to

medical conditions including heartdisease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease,and more, may be accelerated as aresult of consuming diets high in fat.Christina L. Sherry and colleaguesfrom the University of Illinois (USA)investigated whether soluble fibermight counteract the negative healtheffects resulting from a high-fat diet.The team fed lab animals a low-fat dietwith either soluble or insoluble fiber,and found that the animals exhibiteddramatically distinct responseswhen their immune systems werechallenged: animals fed soluble fiberwere found to display less sicknessand a faster recovery rate. Explaining,"Peripheral activation of the immunesystem by infectious agents triggersthe brain-cytokine system causingsickness behaviors which profoundlyimpact well-being," the researcherswrite: "These data show that a dietrich in soluble fiber protects againstendotoxin-induced sickness behaviorby .,. promoting alternative activationof macrophages."Sherry C l , Kim SS, Dilget RN, PI al, Sirkness bohaviur inducpdby endotoxio can be mitigated by the dietary soluble filier,pectin, through up-regulalion oí IL-4 and Th2 poUfization,Brain Behav immun, 6 February 2010.

Licorice Extract May Ward OffDeadly Infections

In that the deadly Pseudomonasinfections that can result from severeburns, Fujio Suzuki and colleaguesfrom the University of Texas MedicalBranch (USA) studied the effect

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Anti-Aging

of a compound from licorice root(glycyrrhizin from Glycyrrhiza glabra),specifically observing its ability tocreate antimicrobial peptides, a typeof protein that serves as the body'sfirst line of defense against infection.The researchers employed a mousemodel of burn injuries, in which one

Be among the first to benefit fromthe imminent breakthroughs inbiotechnology to help achieve anextended healthy human lifespan.JointheA4Mtoctayatwww.worldhealth.net/member-servtces

group served as the control, a secondgroup was burned and untreated, anda third group was burned and treatedwith glycyrrhizin. The team foundthat the skin of the untreated burnedmice did not have any detectableantimicrobial peptides that preventbacteria from growing and spreading,but the normal mice did. Further,the skin of the untreated burnedmice also had immature myeloidcells, which indicate an inability ofthe skin to produce antimicrobialpeptides needed to prevent infection.Most notably, the mice treated withglycyrrhizin closely resembled thenormal mice in that they also hadthe antimicrobial peptides and noimmature myeloid cells. The teamconcludes: "These results suggest thatthrough the improved productionof antimicrobial peptides in tissuessurrounding the burn area, sepsisstemming from Pseudomonasaeruginosa wound infection iscontrollable by glycyrrhizin inseverely burned mice."Voshida T, Yoshida S, Kobayashi M, Hemdon DN. Suzuki F.Pivotal advance; glycyrhizin restores the impaifed productionof B^defenslns ¡n tissues surrounding the burn area and improvesrhp resislance of burn mice to Pseudomonas aeruginosa woundinfection, t Leukoc Biol. 2O1O;87:35-41.

Maintain Healthy Vitamin D IntakeYear-Round

As an estimated 70% of Americanshave insufficient levels of Vitamin Dand nearly 1 billion people worldwideare deficient in the nutrient, OregonState University (USA) researcherswarn of the impending public healthproblem of vitamin D deficiencyin both developed and developingnations. Oregon State Universityscientists have discovered thatvitamin D induces the expressionof cathelicidin, an antimicrobialpeptide gene. The team posits thatthis mechanism is partly responsiblefor vitamin D's capacity to functionas one's primary immune response,and that future advances in the useof cathelicidin may form the basis fornew immune-based therapies. Whilevitamin D can be obtained from thediet, experts suggest that food sourcesare rarely adequate. In fact, mostpeople get the bulk of this fat-solublevitamin from the UV-B radiation in sun

exposure, which naturally causes theskin to produce it. However, peopleliving north of about 40° latitude -a geography encompassing a largeportion of the US and northern Europe- are often deficient after months ofinadequate winter sunshine.Gombart AF. Tbe vitamin D-antimittobial peptide pathwayand its role in protection against infpction. fiiiure MiaobiolNovember 2009;4(91:1151-1165.

Green Space Protects ImmuneHealth

In an increasingly urbanized world,people are living in environmentswith dwindling green spaces, lolandaMaas and colleagues from the EMGOInstitute VU University Medical Centre(Netherlands) studied the medicalrecords of 345,143 Dutch adults,identifying for the prevalence of 24health conditions, and classified eachstudy subject's residence in relation toa nearby green space. The researchersfound that for 15 of the 24 healthconditions, the annual prevalence ratewas lower in subjects who lived inlocations with more green space in a1-km radius. This impact was greatestfor mental health conditions, withpeople living in areas with the mostgreen space being one-third less likelyto have anxiety disorders and one-fifth less to be clinically depressed(as compared with residents of areaswith the least green space). Similarly,physical health was improved inthose living near more green space,as doing so was linked to protectiveeffects against respiratory diseases(such as asthma and COPD) andupper respiratory infections.Maas J, Verheij RA, de Vries S, Spreeuwenberg P, ScheilevisFG, G roen e wegen PP. Morbidity is (elated lo a greeniiving environment. ¡ [pidemiol Community Health. Oct2009;doi:10.1l3&/jech.2008.07903a.

The foundation of an active, vibrant, vital,and long life relies on an optimal immunesystem. Learn how to manage your immunehealth and make prudent decisions that avertthe risks of immune-related disease. Visit theA4M's World Health Network website, atwww.worldhealth.net, to learn more aboutoptimizing your immune function, signup for your free subscription to LongevityMagazine e-journal, and locate an anti-aging physician who will be your partnerand coach in living a productive, vital, andvibrant life starting today.

32 TOWNSEND LETTER - JULY 2010

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