The adverse effects of smoking tobacco are well known. Here are 70 natural substances proven to alleviate or improve tobacco effects

Telomeres keep DNA strands from unravelling — and eating walnuts is a great way to keep telomeres laced up tight

PMID: 

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 1997 Aug ;19(3):291-312. PMID: 9248859

Abstract Title: 

Enhancement of natural killer cell activity and T and B cell function by buffered vitamin C in patients exposed to toxic chemicals: the role of protein kinase-C.

Abstract: 

After exposure to many toxic chemicals, NK function can be decreased significantly. Weeks or months later, natural killer (NK) function can rebound to normal levels in some and can be suppressed for prolonged periods of time in other patients. In view of this, we decided to study the effect of buffered vitamin C on NK, T and B cell function in patients who had been exposed to toxic chemicals. After the first blood draw, 55 patients immediately ingested granulated buffered vitamin C in water at a dosage of 60 mg/Kg body weight. Exactly 24 hours later, blood was again drawn for a follow-up study of NK, T and B cell function. Vitamin C in high oral dose was capable of enhancing NK activity up to ten-fold in 78% of patients. Lymphocyte blastogenic responses to T and B cell mitogens were restored to the normal level after vitamin C usage. Signal transduction enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) appeared to be involved in the mechanism of induction of NK activity by vitamin C. We conclude that immune functional abnormalities can be restored after toxic chemical exposure by oral usage of vitamin C.

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PMID: 

Front Immunol. 2019 ;10:210. Epub 2019 Feb 12. PMID: 30809228

Abstract Title: 

TET Enzymes and 5hmC in Adaptive and Innate Immune Systems.

Abstract: 

DNA methylation is an abundant and stable epigenetic modification that allows inheritance of information from parental to daughter cells. At active genomic regions, DNA methylation can be reversed by TET (Ten-eleven translocation) enzymes, which are responsible for fine-tuning methylation patterns. TET enzymes oxidize the methyl group of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to yield 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and other oxidized methylcytosines, facilitating both passive and active demethylation. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the essential functions of TET enzymes in regulating gene expression, promoting cell differentiation, and suppressing tumor formation. In this review, we will focus on recent discoveries of the functions of TET enzymes in the development and function of lymphoid and myeloid cells. How TET activity can be modulated by metabolites, including vitamin C and 2-hydroxyglutarate, and its potential application in shaping the course of immune response will be discussed.

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PMID: 

Immunity. 2019 10 15 ;51(4):671-681.e5. Epub 2019 Aug 23. PMID: 31451397

Abstract Title: 

High Glucose Intake Exacerbates Autoimmunity through Reactive-Oxygen-Species-Mediated TGF-β Cytokine Activation.

Abstract: 

Diet has been suggested to be a potential environmental risk factor for the increasing incidence of autoimmune diseases, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that high glucose intake exacerbated autoimmunity in mouse models of colitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We elucidated that high amounts of glucose specifically promoted T helper-17 (Th17) cell differentiation by activating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) from its latent form through upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in T cells. We further determined that mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) are key for high glucose-induced TGF-β activation and Th17 cell generation. We have thus revealed a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying the adverse effects of high glucose intake in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and inflammation.

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PMID: 

Front Med (Lausanne). 2019 ;6:165. Epub 2019 Jul 25. PMID: 31403046

Abstract Title: 

Boosting the Immune System, From Science to Myth: Analysis the Infosphere With Google.

Abstract: 

The concept that one can"boost"immunity is a popular one. Although the only evidence-based approach to this is vaccination, the lay public is exposed to a wide range of information on how to boost immunity. The aim of this study was to analyze such information available on the Internet.We visited 185 webpages returned from a Google search on"boost immunity"and classified them by typology (blogs, commercial, government, no-profit, news, professional, scientific journals) and by using standard indicators of health information quality (JAMA score, HONCode). We then analyzed their content in terms of disease and"boosters"mentioned. Commercial and news websites represented one third of the results each. Of the 37 approaches to boost immunity recorded, the top ones were diet (77% of webpages), fruit (69%), vitamins (67%), antioxidants (52%), probiotics (51%), minerals (50%), and vitamin C (49%). Interestingly, vaccines ranked 27th, with only 12% of webpages mentioning them.Commercial websites are an important component of the information available to the public on the topic, and thus contribute providing biased information.

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PMID: 

Sci Transl Med. 2020 Feb 26 ;12(532). PMID: 32102933

Abstract Title: 

High-dose vitamin C enhances cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: 

Vitamin C (VitC) is known to directly impair cancer cell growth in preclinical models, but there is little clinical evidence on its antitumoral efficacy. In addition, whether and how VitC modulates anticancer immune responses is mostly unknown. Here, we show that a fully competent immune system is required to maximize the antiproliferative effect of VitC in breast, colorectal, melanoma, and pancreatic murine tumors. High-dose VitC modulates infiltration of the tumor microenvironment by cells of the immune system and delays cancer growth in a T cell-dependent manner. VitC not only enhances the cytotoxic activity of adoptively transferred CD8 T cells but also cooperates with immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) in several cancer types. Combination of VitC and ICT can be curative in models of mismatch repair-deficient tumors with high mutational burden. This work provides a rationale for clinical trials combining ICT with high doses of VitC.

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PMID: 

J Nutr Biochem. 2020 Mar ;77:108240. Epub 2019 Oct 30. PMID: 31841960

Abstract Title: 

Micronutrients in autoimmune diseases: possible therapeutic benefits of zinc and vitamin D.

Abstract: 

A functional immune system is essential for healthy life. This is achieved by the coordinate activation and interaction of different immune cells. One should be aware that activation of the immune response is as important as its deactivation when the pathogens are cleared, as otherwise host tissue can be damaged up to life-threatening levels. Autoimmune diseases (AID) represent a phenomenon of immune cells attacking host cells and tissue. Five to eight percent of the world's population are currently affected by 80-100 AID. In recent years, the incidence has been constantly increasing, reaching alarmingly high numbers particularly for type 1 diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and multiple sclerosis. This indicates a higher societal burden of AID for the future. This article provides an overview of general concepts of triggers and underlying mechanisms leading to self-destruction. Lately, several original concepts of disease etiology were revised, and there is a variety of hypotheses on triggers, underlying mechanisms and preventive actions. This article concentrates on the importance of nutrition, especially zinc and vitamin D, for balancing the immune function. Homespun nutritional remedies seem to reenter today's therapeutic strategies. Current treatment approaches are largely symptomatic or suppress the immune system. However, recent studies reveal significant benefits of nutrition-related therapeutic approaches including prevention and treatment of established disease, which offer a cost-efficient and trigger-unspecific alternative addressing balancing rather than suppression of the immune system. Zinc and vitamin D are currently the best studied and most promising candidates for therapeutic intervention.

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High doses of vitamin C are well-documented as being effective against viral infections, so why don’t you hear about it more often?

PMID: 

J Int Med Res. 2010 Mar-Apr;38(2):386-414. PMID: 20515554

Abstract Title: 

Essential role of vitamin C and zinc in child immunity and health.

Abstract: 

With the progressive elimination of dietary protein-energy deficits, deficiencies of micronutrients are emerging as the limiting factors in ensuring children's optimal health. Data from several countries in Asia and Latin America indicate that deficiencies of vitamin C and zinc continue to be at alarming levels. This article reviews the roles of vitamin C and zinc in supporting children's growth and development, with a particular focus on the complementary roles they play in supporting immune functions and combating infections. The contemporary relevance of vitamin C and zinc deficiency in the Asian and Latin American regions, both undergoing a rapid nutritional transition, are also discussed. Overall, there is increasing evidence that deficiency of vitamin C and zinc adversely affects the physical and mental growth of children and can impair their immune defences. Nutrition should be the main vehicle for providing these essential nutrients; however, supplementation can represent a valid support method, especially in developing regions.

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