Experts tell us how to strengthen your immune system

Within ‘V Advanced course on immunonutrition, sustainable development and health”organized by the Institute of Spain, the Royal National Pharmaceutical Academy in collaboration with the International Society of Immunonutrition (ISIN), which takes place these days in Madrid, doctors Mark Voznesensky, Isabel Moreno-Indias and Esther Nova with Dr. Francisco J. Sanchez-Muniz

took part in several presentations on the day dedicated to fermented drinks this happened today.

Dr. Marcos took part in a presentation entitled “Features of diet and alcohol consumption in overweight patients. Association with adipocytokinesand Dr. Esther Nova with a presentation “How do diet and moderate consumption of fermented milk drinks affect the composition of the microbiota?” Both are scientists in the immunonutrition group of the Institute of Food and Nutrition, Science and Technology (ICTAN) of the Supreme Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).

During her presentation, Dr. Marcos noted that “The immune system and the need to take care of it should be a priority for society and healthcare systems.” Keeping this system in optimal condition is key to preventing health problems, which requires proper nutrition, daily physical activity, adequate sleep patterns, emotional management, and weight control—all essential factors for a healthy immune system.^(Yo) In this sense, Dr. Marcos also emphasized that in order to reduce and maintain weight loss, it is essential to take care of these same factors, since obesity is not caused by the consumption of food alone, as shown by a study carried out in collaboration with the University Hospital of Navarra(ii). For her part, Dr. Nova emphasized that Immunonutrition is presented as a preventive strategy for strengthening the immune system through a varied and high-quality diet, the characteristics of which will allow maintaining immunological homeostasis in various physiological states.

It’s been proven⁽ⁱⁱⁱ⁾ that the Mediterranean diet is associated with decreased frailty and improved cognitive performance. A diet based on healthy foods, combined with an active lifestyle, provides important protective benefits.

Dr. Marcos emphasized that “To take care of the immune system, it is important to consume foods rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins and polyphenols, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts and extra virgin olive oil, as well as moderate consumption of fermented drinks such as beer, always in healthy adults”.

For our part, according to a study presented by Dr. Nova(iv)“Moderate consumption of fermented drinks may promote gut health and metabolism, as some studies link the habit to higher levels of beneficial bacteria.” He also emphasized that polyphenols present in hops and barley in beer have antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

On the other side, Dr. Isabel Moreno Indiasfrom the Institute of Biomedical Research of Malaga (IBIMA-Plataforma Bionand) and CIBEROBN member of the Carlos III Institute of Health, presented in his presentation “Polyphenols in a variety of beersScientific evidence on the effects of fermented foods in the Mediterranean diet on the gut microbiota, which is key to health.

As he explained, “Diet is one of the factors that most influences microbiota profile, and diversity in microbiota composition promotes well-being and also helps prevent metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.”

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In this context, he emphasized the role of beer, a low-alcohol fermented drink that, thanks to its polyphenols and fiber content, “may improve bacterial diversity and gut health”. He also noted that polyphenols and dietary fiber in fermented drinks can mitigate the effects of a sedentary and stressful lifestyle. In addition, he added that different beers, due to the concentration of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds, have different effects on microbiota and metabolic health (v), and this should be taken into account when choosing the type of beer.

He Dr. Francisco J. Sanchez-Munizfrom the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Complutense University of Madrid, gave his presentation “Bioactive compounds in beer. Silicon and aluminum for Alzheimer’s disease, where he examined the effects of certain bioactive compounds present in beer, such as silicon, while not downplaying certain vitamins, polyphenols and small amounts of dietary fiber, on brain health. Dr. Sanchez-Muniz explained that “Silicon is an essential mineral found in a variety of foods, including beer, and has been shown to have protective properties for the brain, helping to strengthen cellular structures and reducing the buildup of toxic compounds associated with neurodegenerative diseases.”. In addition, he pointed out that aluminum nitrate poisoning causes an imbalance of mineral content in the brain, causing oxidative and inflammatory damage in this organ, which is almost completely compensated by the consumption of aluminum nitrate along with beer or silicic acid (vi)..

Similar results are observed in the brains of experimental animals that drank non-alcoholic beer, where the contribution of aluminum nitrate along with non-alcoholic beer or silicon restored the animals’ ability to respond to various types of stress..

In his talk, he emphasized the importance of continuing to study the health effects of beer through its protection against increased oxidation and inflammation that occur in neurodegenerative diseases.

Immunonutrition experts recalled in their presentations that the potential benefits moderate beer consumption They are prescribed provided that it is done responsibly and accompanied by food, following a Mediterranean lifestyle and keeping in mind the maximum intake amounts for both healthy women (200-300 ml/day) and adult men (400-600 ml/day). They insist that it is important to stay away from activities that cause us stress.^(viii)because in such situations our immune system may respond less effectively.

In addition, this course delves into the influence of environmental factors on human health, the interaction of the microbiota, nutrition and the immune system, and mechanisms for preventing pathologies associated with immunoinflammation.