Researchers have discovered that T-cells, a type of white blood cells, exhibit enhanced functionality post-meal consumption. These cells act as a microscopic defense force, scanning for and eliminating viruses, bacteria, or abnormal tissue in the body, according to Greg Delgoffe, an immunologist at the University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Published in the journal Nature in April, the study highlights the crucial role of nutrition in combating infections. The findings could lead to advancements in immune therapies and improvements in vaccination timing.
Delgoffe, a senior study author, likened the immune system’s reliance on food to Napoleon’s famous quote that “an army marches on its stomach,” emphasizing the necessity of nourishing the immune troops for optimal performance.
To investigate further, researchers collected blood samples from 31 healthy volunteers twice in a day: once in the morning after fasting overnight, and later after a meal. The results showed that post-meal T-cells exhibited enhanced fat and sugar absorption and more efficient energy production in mitochondria, emphasizing the impact of meals on cellular activity.
Additionally, experiments on mice revealed that fed mice produced more memory cells, a specific T-cell subset that recognizes previously encountered pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria.
Once activated by foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria, T-cells rapidly multiply throughout the body to combat infections, a process that requires significant energy. Delgoffe noted that while the study did not control participants’ diets, the post-meal effects on T-cells remained consistent, with a balanced diet providing the most significant benefits.
These findings hint at the potential of nutrition to enhance cancer treatments, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapies. These treatments modify T-cell receptors to improve cancer cell detection. The study demonstrated that T-cells from individuals who had eaten were more effective at controlling cancer compared to those from fasting individuals.
Russell Jones, a metabolism and nutritional programming expert at Van Andel Institute, highlighted the study’s implications for developing immune-boosting diet plans and enhancing existing cancer therapies. Jones emphasized the critical link between diet, metabolism, and immunity, stressing the importance of a balanced diet for overall health, whether combating a cold or cancer.