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Cheese
found to improve the immune response of the
elderly
Cheese acting as 'carrier' for probiotic
bacteria can help to restore immune system
May 2010--Scientists in Finland have discovered that
cheese can help preserve and enhance the
immune system of the elderly by acting as a
carrier for probiotic bacteria. The
research, published in FEMS
Immunology & Medical Microbiology, reveals
that daily consumption of probiotic cheese
helps to tackle age-related changes in the
immune system.
"The increase in the proportion of aged
individuals in modern society makes finding
innovative ways to thwart the deterioration
of the immune system a priority," said lead
author Dr Fandi Ibrahim from the University
of Turku in Finland.
"The
intake of probiotic bacteria has been
reported to enhance the immune response
through other products and now we have
discovered that cheese can be a carrier of
the same bacteria."
Dr Ibrahim's team believe that the daily
intake of probiotic cheese can tackle the
age-related deterioration of the immune
system known as immunosenescene. This
deterioration means the body is unable to
kill tumour cells and reduces the immune
response to vaccinations and infections.
Infectious diseases, chronic inflammation
disorders and cancer are hallmarks of
Immunosenescene.
To tackle immunosenescene the team targeted
the gastrointestinal tract, which is the
main entry for bacteria cells into the body
through food and drink and is also the site
where 70% of vital immunoglobulin cells are
created.
The team asked volunteers aged between 72
and 103, all of which lived in the same care
home, to eat one slice of either placebo or
probiotic Gouda cheese with their breakfast
for four weeks. Blood tests where then
carried out to discover the effect of
probiotic bacteria contained within the
cheese on the immune system.
The results revealed a clear enhancement of
natural and acquired immunity through the
activation of NK blood cells and an increase
in phagocytic activity.
"The aim of our study was to see if specific
probiotic bacteria in cheese would have
immune enhancing effects on healthy older
individuals in a nursing home setting,"
concluded Ibrahim. "We have demonstrated
that the regular intake of probiotic cheese
can help to boost the immune system and that
including it in a regular diet may help to
improve an elderly person's immune response
to external challenges."
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