Does alcohol help a cold? Benefits, risks, and remedies

04 Abr Does alcohol help a cold? Benefits, risks, and remedies

Naïve human T cells produce low levels of VDR, but expression is increased to moderate levels in activated T cells (Irvin et al. 2000). Human T cells incubated in vitro with variable concentrations of ethanol (0, 10, 25, and 50mM for 24 hours) showed a reduced expression of the VDR, accompanied by increased expression of RAS and ROS as well as increased T-cell death (Rehman et al. 2013). Additional analyses demonstrated that ethanol exposure promoted apoptosis by inducing breaks in the DNA of the T cells. This damage to the DNA most likely was mediated by ROS generation in response to RAS activation. Treatment with a compound that activates the VDR (i.e., a VDR agonist) restored the T cell’s VDR expression, down-regulated RAS expression as well as ROS generation, and thus preserved T-cell survival (Rehman et al. 2013). But excessive alcohol intake can have negative effects on our immune system, making us more prone to catching colds and flu.

Effects on Circulating Immunoglobulin Levels

Alcohol can irritate the lining of the respiratory tract, leading to inflammation and making it easier for viruses to enter the body. Additionally, alcohol can also impair the cilia, little hair-like structures in our respiratory tract that help to sweep mucus and debris out of our lungs. When the cilia are compromised, our body’s natural defense mechanism against viruses becomes less effective. To understand how alcohol affects our immune system, we need to first understand the role of the immune system in defending our bodies against infections. The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to identify, attack, and eliminate harmful pathogens such as viruses.

Health Conditions

While we often hear about measures such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and washing our hands regularly, one factor that is often overlooked is the consumption of alcohol. According to an older 2015 review, this may be because moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to enhance immune function. Alcohol modulates gene expression—that is, the generation of mRNAs and, ultimately, functional proteins from the DNA template—through changes in noncoding microRNA (miRNA) levels and epigenetic modifications. Such epigenetic changes can promote (red arrow) or inhibit (black arrow) the expression of mRNAs as well as promote the expression of certain miRNAs (including the processing of precursor molecules called pri-micro RNA into mature miRNA). Conversely, miRNAs can inhibit the actions of the methylation machinery and expression of proteins involved in histone modifications as well as can interfere with the transcription of mRNAs. Chronic alcohol consumption decreases the number of circulating T cells, increases the number of activated T cells, accelerates differentiation of T cells to a memory phenotype, and interferes with thymocyte development.

Does alcohol help the immune system?

By limiting your alcohol intake, staying hydrated, and supporting your immune system with a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of falling ill this what is Oxford House season. Numerous analyses also have evaluated the effects of ethanol exposure on the development of B cells. As described above for thymopoiesis, the offspring of pregnant mice that from gestational day 1 to day 18 consumed a liquid diet in which 25 percent of calories were derived from ethanol exhibited decreased numbers of both immature and mature B cells in the spleens directly after birth. Moreover, these B-cell subpopulations did not recover to normal levels until 3 to 4 weeks of life (Moscatello et al. 1999; Wolcott et al. 1995).

• For instance, genetically modified BALB/c mice that carried a TCR specific for the ovalbumin peptide and were fed a diet containing 30 percent ethanol-derived calories exhibited decreased antigen-specific Th1 responses (Waltenbaugh et al. 1998).
• For example, an older 2012 study compared the rate of colds among 899 males in Japan.
• Other studies were conducted using a precursor cell type called oligoclonal-neonatal-progenitor (ONP) cells, which in vitro can differentiate either into B lymphocytes or into other white and red blood cells (i.e., myeloid cells), depending on the cytokines to which they are exposed.
• Yes, alcohol consumption can increase the risk of contracting other respiratory infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

Moderate alcohol consumption may have limited effects on the immune system, but excessive or https://rezapolymer.com/what-you-should-know-about-halfway-houses-4-2/ chronic alcohol use can weaken immune function. T-cell activation was assessed by measuring the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR on the patient’s CD8 cells. HLAs are proteins found on the surface of various cells that present antigens to the TCR on T cells to induce an immune response.

The Truth About Alcohol and Immunity

In conclusion, excessive alcohol consumption can weaken our body’s ability to fight off viruses, including the common cold and flu. By moderating alcohol intake, prioritizing sleep, and adopting a healthy lifestyle, we can strengthen our immune system and reduce our risk of falling ill. Remember, moderation is key when it comes to alcohol consumption, and taking care of our immune system is essential for our overall health and well-being.

Furthermore, ethanol exposure decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 and promoted expression of the pro-apoptotic molecule BAX in the cells. These findings suggest that ethanol pretreatment can sensitize T cells to AICD (Kapasi et al. 2003). In vivo studies in humans confirmed these observations, demonstrating that binge drinking (i.e., consuming 5 to 7 drinks within 90 to 120 minutes) promoted T-cell apoptosis and decreased Bcl-2 expression (Kapasi et al. 2003). In addition to moderating alcohol intake and getting enough sleep, there are also other lifestyle factors that can strengthen our immune system. Eating when you use/abuse alcohol your resistance to colds increases a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides our body with essential nutrients that support immune function.

• It’s also vital to stay well-hydrated and maintain a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity.
• Dr. Illhem Messaoudi, a commenter on the research article and researcher who also studies alcohol’s effect on the immune system, explained to Medical Daily in an email just how extensive this harm can be.
• These findings suggest that ethanol pretreatment can sensitize T cells to AICD (Kapasi et al. 2003).
• Thus, studies in C57BL/6 mice demonstrated that chronic ethanol consumption (20 percent ethanol in water for up to 6 months) decreased the frequency of naïve T cells and increased the percentage of memory T cells (Song et al. 2002; Zhang and Meadows 2005).
• Finally, chronic alcohol exposure in utero interferes with normal T-cell and B-cell development, which may increase the risk of infections during both childhood and adulthood.

Effects of Moderate Ethanol Consumption on Adaptive Immunity

Other studies were conducted using a precursor cell type called oligoclonal-neonatal-progenitor (ONP) cells, which in vitro can differentiate either into B lymphocytes or into other white and red blood cells (i.e., myeloid cells), depending on the cytokines to which they are exposed. Similarly, ONP cells isolated from newborn mice and cultured in vitro in the presence of 100 mM ethanol for 12 days failed to respond to IL-7 and commit to the B lineage, suggesting intrinsic defects (Wang et al. 2011). Additional investigations demonstrated that alcohol affects ONP cell differentiation into B lineage at a late stage by down-regulating the expression of several transcription factors (e.g., EBF and PAX5) and cytokine receptors, such as the IL-7 receptor (IL-7Ra) (Wang et al. 2009). In summary, these studies suggest that chronic alcohol abuse in humans and animal models results in lymphopenia, increased T-cell differentiation and activation, and reduced migration (see figure 1). These changes in turn compromise the organism’s ability to respond to pathogens and contribute to increased susceptibility to infections.