Diet and Inflammation Inflammation - PowerPoint Presentation

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Diet and Inflammation

Inflammation

Inflammation is a set of symptoms that include pain, swelling, heat, and redness of an affected organ or tissue

It is the natural way the body’s immune system responds to injury, infection or attack

There has been increased discussion regarding another form of inflammation that is not aligned with pain and is referred to as chronic low-grade inflammation or “silent inflammation”The links between diet, inflammatory processes, and diseases are the topics of intense current research

Immune System

The immune system is the body natural defense mechanismThe immune system protects the body against foreign substances (antigens) – bacteria, viruses, toxins, food proteins that cause allergies, etc.

If the immune system fails, the body becomes vulnerable to disease

Immune System

Physical barriers: body’s first line of defense against foreign substances:

SkinMucous membranesGastrointestinal tractOrgans

Thymus gland (make T cells)Bone marrow (make B cells)Spleen

Tonsils

Adenoids

Lymph nodes

Gastrointestinal tract

Tissues

Mucus membranes

Lymphoid tissue

Lymphatic vessels

Cells

Defense proteins

Leukocytes

Phagocytes

Neutrophils

Macrophages

Lymphocytes

Natural killer cells

B-cells

T-cells

Acute and Chronic Inflammation

Acute inflammation - beneficialImmune system responses to infection or injuring resulting in inflammation, fighting infection or injury, and then stops

Immune system responses and get recoveryChronic inflammation – harmful

Low grade inflammation that persistsChronically inflamed tissues produce bioactive compounds that sustain the inflammatory responseLow grade inflammation can suppress immune response

If constantly turned on at a low level the immune system get used to it and is not responsive (flies under the radar)

Immune system responds but no recovery

Chronic Diseases and Inflammation

Many diseases, especially chronic diseases, reflect an underlying inflammatory process such as:

ObesityMetabolic syndromeAtherosclerosisType 2 diabetes

HypertensionCertain types of cancerRheumatoid arthritis

Others

Obesity and Inflammation

Chronic inflammation accompanies obesityAdipose (fat) tissue is metabolically active and produces compounds that promote inflammation

As adipose tissue fills up, fat migrates to other tissues -muscles and liver (ectopic fat)The combination of increased ectopic fat and inflammation disrupts normal glucose and lipid metabolism leading to:

Insulin resistanceElevated blood lipids (also promotes inflammation)

High blood pressure (also promotes inflammation)

This cluster of symptoms is known as metabolic syndrome – which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (heart disease and hypertension).

Atherosclerosis and Inflammation

Atherosclerosis initiated by minor but chronic damage to the blood vessel wallBlood vessel damage increases permeability of the blood vessel wall and initiates an inflammatory response.

The immune system responds by sending in macrophages.LDL cholesterol becomes trapped inside the blood vessel wall.Free radicals produced during inflammatory response oxidize LDL cholesterol.

Macrophages take up the oxidized LDL cholesterol. Swell up with oxidized LDL cholesterol and eventually become plaque.Blood vessel damage and inflammation also favor formation of blood clots

As damage progresses, inflammatory response intensifies

Plaque instability and weakens the blood vessel wall

Challenge is to Maintain Beneficial Effects of Inflammation Yet Limit Harmful Consequences

The fact that many diseases reflect an underlying inflammatory process yet inflammation is critical to immune system response presents a challenge to identify factors that will both protect the beneficial effects and limit the harmful consequences

Diet and Inflammation

Research suggests that certain dietary components may modulate key inflammatory pathwaysResearch is still currently being conducted investigating the effects of dietary components on inflammation

Diet and Inflammation

Possible pro-inflammatory dietary factorsExcess calories

Saturated and trans fatsHighly processed foods Highly processed meats

Highly refined carbohydrates

Diet and Inflammation

Possible anti-inflammatory dietary factors: found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein foods (lean meat, poultry, pork and fish; beans, peas and lentils; nuts and seeds), low-fat or fat-free dairy, and healthy fats)

Healthy fatsOmega-3 fatty acids

Monounsaturated fatsVitamins and minerals (vitamin C, E, selenium, magnesium, zinc)Fiber

Phytonutrients

Polyphenols

Carotenoids

Probiotics and prebiotics

Diet and Inflammation

However, at the present lime, the research to support specific dietary recommendations regarding inflammation is lackingMore research is needed

What foods/food componentsHow muchHow often

Diet and Inflammation

Currently, the best advice is to adopt a healthy dietary pattern including a variety of nutritious foods

Make fruits and vegetables half your plateChoose a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables

Make half your grains whole grainsVary your protein routineChoose lean protein foods

Include fish; beans, peas and lentils; nuts and seeds

Move to low-fat or fat-free milk or yogurt

Choose healthy fats

Choose those high in omega 3 and monounsaturated fats

Limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated and trans fat, and sodium

Diet and Immune System Health

A healthy dietary pattern also provides the nutrients needed to support a healthy immune system

Calories Vitamin A Zinc Protein Vitamin C Selenium

Omega 3 fatty acids Vitamin E Iron Vitamin D Magnesium

Vitamin B6 Copper

Vitamin B12 Prebiotics

Folate Probiotics

Other Lifestyle Factors and Inflammation

Regular physical activity

Adequate sleepManage stress

OSU Extension

Questions?

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2021

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

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