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Phytosterols
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; | Reducing
the risk of heart disease
Solving
the dilemma of Auto immune disease
Summary
of main points | Bibliography
Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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