Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Study finds that ketone bodies, as alternative cellular fuels, boost immunity
Medical Xpress / Van Andel Research Institute / Immunity ^ | July 28, 2023 | Russell G Jones et al

Posted on 08/03/2023 8:21:34 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

A metabolic by-product that is more prevalent during fasting may supercharge immune cells as they fight infection and disease, reports an early stage study.

The findings may pave the way for future personalized dietary recommendations to augment treatments for infection, cancer and other diseases.

The findings center on ketone bodies, which are regularly produced by the liver but become more numerous when glucose, a sugar that acts as the main power source for cells, is in short supply. This can occur during exertion such as exercise, when cells are rapidly burning through fuel, or during fasting, when there is little food available to be broken down into glucose.

To compensate, the liver steps up production of ketone bodies to feed the brain and other organs. The study shows that ketone bodies also power immune cells, a surprise finding that illuminates new connections between diet and immunity.

Like other cells in the body, T cells—the soldiers of the immune system—absorb nutrients like glucose from our diets to generate the energy required to do their jobs. Jones and colleagues demonstrated that T cells prefer ketone bodies over glucose as a fuel source. They also found that ketone bodies improve T cell function by reprogramming them to better neutralize threats. Conversely, loss of the ability to process ketone bodies causes defects in T cell function and hampers their ability to combat infection.

The authors hypothesize that ketone bodies may be an evolutionary failsafe that boosts the immune system when nutrient resources are limited, such as when one's appetite is suppressed during illness.

Although the study suggests increasing ketone bodies through fasting or intermittent fasting regimens may enhance T cell function in certain circumstances, other studies suggest that fasting may suppress immune function.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: ketone; medicalxpress
Keto diets may encourage more such ketones for handling immune issues.

Maybe the saying should go, “Starve a fever and a cold.”

1 posted on 08/03/2023 8:21:34 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 08/03/2023 8:22:24 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

The English already do that. They also let patients keep their temperature high. They say that to do so makes your body inhospitably hot to the invader.


3 posted on 08/03/2023 8:34:42 PM PDT by poinq
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Dr. Barry has videos on this. Thanks for posting.


4 posted on 08/03/2023 8:51:13 PM PDT by peggybac (My will is what I wanted. God's will is what I got.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: poinq; peggybac; ConservativeMind; Tilted Irish Kilt; Qiviut; metmom; SeekAndFind; null and void

I was already aware of the importance of keeping some fever when sick. My partner and I were sick for more than 3 months after New Years. The second illness he brought back from babysitting his sick grandson began with chills, and in my case a fever of 101.5 the first day. I took now Aspirin or other drug, although I have found that Vitamin C which I always take can lower a fever. I used to crush 500 mg., some garlic powder, and honey in a water filled baby bottle. My sons would sip it when thirsty, especially when waking up at night, and if they had a fever of 103, it would come down to 101 rather quickly.

My partner had received his 4th mRNA shot that Dec. I took a flu shot then, but my only Covid vaccine was 2 shots in 2021. My bronchitis persisted to mid April. It took two more weeks for him to get well, and he had a cough that persisted for several more weeks after that. It rather seemed that we were suffering a “long Covid” kind of recovery although I don’t think we had Covid. I think we may of gotten RSV from his grandson, and perhaps some other bug the second time with the chills and my fever. Since I got the fever after the chills my immune system may have been working better. At one point I completely lost my sense of smell. I had been taking 50 mg of Zinc a day, but increased it to 150 mg. daily, and on day 5 I could smell Vicks Vaporup again. Neither of us had vomiting or diarrhea.


5 posted on 08/03/2023 10:22:11 PM PDT by gleeaikin ( Question authority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: poinq

Typo in my previous comment. I took NO aspirin or fever drugs.

I used to crush a 500 mg Vitamin C tablet, garlic and honey in water


6 posted on 08/03/2023 10:25:13 PM PDT by gleeaikin ( Question authority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: gleeaikin

A lot of people like to talk about long Covid as if it is something new, but I remember several other nasty viruses I’ve fought that took months to get over as well.


7 posted on 08/03/2023 10:30:06 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: peggybac; poinq; ConservativeMind; Tilted Irish Kilt; Qiviut

I should have added that while my partner has had 4 mRNA shots, my 2 Covid shots in 2021 were for J&J. However, since I am told J&J also focuses on the SPIKE protein, I think Spike might be the cause of IgG 1 thru 4 immune alterations, rather than the mRNA factor. Since J&J was not included in the small study that brought attention to the IgG immune system change issue, this also needs to be looked at in a larger study.


8 posted on 08/03/2023 10:31:10 PM PDT by gleeaikin ( Question authority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: gleeaikin

Why use the language of the leftists? Call your boyfriend your boyfriend and leave the word partner in the dust.


9 posted on 08/04/2023 1:07:08 AM PDT by wildcard_redneck (The Forever War is a crime against humanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: metmom

Finally came down with Covid on Feb. 1 (never received a shot) and the worst part of it it all was the fever. I ended up taking Pavloxid which helped the symptoms tremendously. I was more afraid of the rising temps so I never would have chanced not taking anything. The only effects still: taste hasn’t come back 100% but it never disappeared completely, dreams are a a bit whacky and not remembered.


10 posted on 08/04/2023 5:28:25 AM PDT by peggybac (My will is what I wanted. God's will is what I got.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: wildcard_redneck

He is a 78 year old MAN, not a boy, and I won’t insult his manhood by calling him a BOYfriend. If anything I would prefer LOver, but that offends some people, and what we have is so much more. I hope your female friend, if you have one, is a woman not a girl unless you are under 21.


11 posted on 08/04/2023 3:35:06 PM PDT by gleeaikin ( Question authority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: peggybac

I read that Paxlovid mady Fauci quite ill. My experience has been that taking one or two grams of Vitamin C every few hours will drop fever by about 2 degrees, but leave the fever high enough to fight virus. Glad the medicine helped you. Zinc will help the taste come back.


12 posted on 08/04/2023 3:40:03 PM PDT by gleeaikin ( Question authority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: gleeaikin

Then call him your lover. Partner is a gay word.


13 posted on 08/04/2023 4:20:47 PM PDT by wildcard_redneck (The Forever War is a crime against humanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: wildcard_redneck; metmom

I think Partner is more socially accepted for unmarried adults living together. Lover emphasizes the sex aspect, and I can assure you that after 15 years together around age 80 sex is a seriously reduced aspect of an important relationship. Far more important is dealing with serious business and property matters, family and grandchildren, and caring for each other when sick. LOVERS???


14 posted on 08/04/2023 4:44:50 PM PDT by gleeaikin ( Question authority!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: gleeaikin

There really is a lack of appropriate terms for the situation you are in.

Companion seems a bit to casual.

I can see your point about *boyfriend* even though in a way that is the most accurate description of the relationship, even if it isn’t of him as a man.


15 posted on 08/04/2023 4:58:44 PM PDT by metmom (He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson