A Study Warns Obesity Could Impair Immune Cell Function

(Newswire.net — March 4, 2022) Orlando, FL — Obesity is undeniably one of the chronic diseases today, and it has always been something experts warn against. In some studies, it has been found to wreak havoc on immune system health.

One study was carried out by the Harvard Medical School researchers and published in Cell on Dec. 9.

In this research, obesity has been particularly found to cause impairment in immune cell function. Further, it accelerated the growth of tumors. The investigators have particularly revealed that a high-fat diet permits cancer cells to outcompete immune cells for fuel.

Over the years, researchers have been able to identify obesity-related processes that drive tumor growth. These include metabolic changes as well as chronic inflammation.

More particularly, the investigators have shown that a high-fat diet lessens the numbers and antitumor activity of CD8+ T cells, which are a critical type of immune cell, inside tumors. 

This is found to occur due to the fact that cancer cells have the ability to reprogram their metabolism, which is in response to heightened fat availability. This is for the purpose of better gobbling up energy-loaded fat molecules, depriving T cells of fuel, and accelerating the growth of tumors.

“Putting the same tumor in obese and nonobese settings reveals that cancer cells rewire their metabolism in response to a high-fat diet,” said Marcia Haigis.

Haigis is a professor of cell biology in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS and co-senior author of the study. 

“This finding suggests that a therapy that would potentially work in one setting might not be as effective in another, which needs to be better understood given the obesity epidemic in our society,” she added. 

The research team has found that blocking this fat-related metabolic reprogramming significantly lessened tumor volume in mice on high-fat diets. 

More and more studies are being carried out to explore effective ways to lose weight. It is worth keeping in mind that some remedies like L-Carnitine are found particularly beneficial for weight management.

This is due to the fact that it aids in enhancing energy levels, and this could be helpful for individuals who want to enhance their exercise performance and adherence.

L-Carnitine also works in boosting the body’s ability to shed extra pounds. There are actually many health benefits associated with its use. It is even widely obtained today through supplementation, such as the use of Divine Bounty L-Carnitine.

Extra-strength supplements like Divine Bounty L-Carnitine may be particularly helpful for individuals who are trying to manage a healthy weight (www.amazon.com/dp/B06XF7K9MM).