Researchers have discovered that T-cells, a type of white blood cell, become more effective after a meal. These T-cells act as a microscopic defense force, targeting viruses, bacteria, and precancerous cells within the body, according to Greg Delgoffe, an immunologist at the University of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
A study published in the journal Nature in April revealed the significance of eating in the fight against infections, potentially aiding in the enhancement of immune therapies and the optimal timing of vaccinations. Delgoffe, a senior author of the study, likened the immune system’s reliance on nutrition to Napoleon’s famous quote about armies marching on their stomachs.
To investigate this phenomenon, researchers collected blood samples from 31 healthy individuals twice in a day – first in the morning after fasting overnight, then six hours later after a meal. The post-meal T-cells exhibited improved fat and sugar absorption, along with enhanced energy production in mitochondria, demonstrating the impact of a meal on immune cell function.
Further experiments on mice revealed that fed mice generated more memory cells, a specialized subset of T-cells that recognize previously encountered pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Once activated by foreign invaders, T-cells rapidly multiply throughout the body to combat infections, a process that demands significant energy and often leads to fatigue during illness.
Despite not controlling participants’ diets, the study consistently observed positive effects on T-cells post-meal, emphasizing the benefits of a balanced diet. These findings also suggest that dietary interventions could enhance cancer treatments, particularly chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T therapies, which modify T-cell receptors to target cancer cells effectively.
Russell Jones, a metabolism and nutritional programming expert at the Van Andel Institute, emphasized the study’s potential to inform the development of immune-boosting diet plans and improve the efficacy of existing cancer treatments. The intricate relationship between diet, metabolism, and immunity, especially in cancer contexts, underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced diet for overall health, whether combating a cold or cancer.
