Boosting the Immune system of Athletes 05-04-2006 Boosting the Immune system of Athletes High intensity training which is the type that most athletes are involved in especially those who are preparing for the Olympic games can lead to depression of the immune system. This often leads to repeated infections which occur after a period of vigorous exertion. It is thought that prolonged physical exercise not only weakens the immune system but also disturbs the balance of two important hormones, cortisol and DHEA. Cortisol is an immune -suppressing hormone whereas DHEA boosts the immune system. This redistribution post exercise leads to excess cortisol and reduced levels of DHEA which further diminishes the immune response. Pro-inflammatory cytokines characteristic of the TH2 immune response are also raised in the serum of athletes after strenuous exercise. In a pilot study performed by Professor Bouic and his co-workers on a group of ultra-marathon runners they showed that those runners who were given sterols and sterolins displayed favourable outcomes whereas the group who were treated with placebos had depressed immune systems. The group who were given the nutrients increased their T-helper cells and also had reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. What was even more impressive was that their ratios of cortisol to DHEA did not exhibit the customary post -exercise changes. They were able to maintain their levels of DHEA while their cortisol levels were reduced. Professor Bouic indicates in this report that DHEA is able to increase the levels of TH1 cells. Sterols and sterolins can therefore be considered to be natural boosters of DHEA. He claims that this has huge ramifications for such diseases as HIV, chronic fatigue syndrome and all the auto-immune diseases. DHEA is considered to be a very powerful enhancer of the immune system in its own right. It is considered to be an anti-aging hormone and is thought to promote a state of calmness and tranquility. Studies show that DHEA suppresses breast cancer cells and inhibits certain strains of HIV infection. It is also considered to be important in protecting the body against viral and bacterial infections. DHEA is known to decline with age and this is thought to be one of the factors leading to a depression in the immune system that takes place with aging. By naturally enhancing DHEA, sterols and sterolins are able to provide a means for boosting TH1 cells which may be of great assistance to all athletes who desperately need to maintain a healthy immune system as well as to an aging population who are increasingly vulnerable to infections as they get older. Allergy sufferers such as those who experience allergic rhinitis and asthma may also benefit from sterols and sterolins. Professor Karl Pegel from the department of chemistry and applied chemistry at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa, in a review article on phytosterols makes the point that these nutrients are found in some of the most popular herbs including St Mary's thistle, gingko biloba, saw palmetto, panax and siberian ginseng. Herbs such as panax and siberian ginseng have been identified as "adaptogens." This means that they tonify the body especially such organs as the adrenal glands where DHEA is produced. What this does is to promote overall health without any ill-effects which we have come to associate with any drug treatments. Sterols and sterolins have numerous health promoting properties and they can be regarded as unique enhancers of the immune system. For anyone wishing to protect themselves against any invading micro-organisms like the typical winter viruses, sterols and sterolins offers a natural alternative to the influenza vaccination. Bouic and Vanderhaeghe tell us that in order to consume about 60 mg of plant sterols per day we would have to eat 500 to 700g of fresh fruit and vegetables, 200g of whole wheat flour without additives or 250g of potatoes which have not been boiled. To maximise our immune systems we need to double this amount. Remember that our digestive system only absorbs 5% of the sterols consumed. Therefore it would seem wise that anyone who wishes to obtain the ultimate benefit from sterols and sterolins should consider taking these nutrients in supplementary form. Phytosterols | The new immune system | Boosting athletes immune systems | Overcoming prostate enlargment | Winning the war against cancer | The New Hope for treating... | Reducing the risk of heart disease | Solving the dilemma of Auto immune disease | Summary of main points | Bibliography