Abstract
Physical activity (PA) and nutrition are the essential components of a healthy lifestyle, as they can influence energy balance, promote functional ability of various systems and improve immunity. Infections and their associated symptoms are the common and frequent challenges to human health that are causing severe economic and social consequences around the world. During aging, human immune system undergoes dramatic aging-related changes/dysfunctions known as immunosenescence. Clinically, immunosenescence refers to the gradual deterioration of immune system that increases exposure to infections, and reduces vaccine efficacy. Such phenomenon is linked to impaired immune responses that lead to dysfunction of multiple organs, while lack of physical activity, progressive loss of muscle mass, and concomitant decline in muscle strength facilitate immunosenescence and inflammation. In the present review, we have discussed the role of nutrition and PA, which can boost the immune system alone and synergistically. Evidence suggests that long-term PA is beneficial in improving immune system and preventing various infections. We have further discussed several nutritional strategies for improving the immune system. Unfortunately, the available evidence shows conflicting results. In terms of interaction with food intake, PA does not tend to increase energy intake during a short time course. However, overcoming nutritional deficiencies appears to be the most practical recommendation. Through the balanced nutritious diet intake one can fulfill the bodily requirement of optimal nutrition that significantly impacts the immune system. Supplementation of a single nutrient as food is generally not advisable. Rather incorporating various fruits and vegetables, whole grains, proteins and probiotics may ensure adequate nutrient intake. Therefore, multi-nutrient supplements may benefit people having deficiency in spite of sufficient diet. Along with PA, supplementation of probiotics, bovine colostrum, plant-derived products and functional foods may provide additional benefits in improving the immune system.
Highlights
It is well established that physical activity (PA) and healthy nutrition are vital lifestyle factors that influence lifelong health by improving body composition, musculoskeletal health, physical and cognitive performance
The increased concentrations of CD4 T cells found in these analyses suggest that regular physical activity strengthens the immune system and results in a faster response (Swain et al, 2012; Laidlaw et al, 2016)
Another example of aging-related immune system impairment is the altered function of neutrophils, which are the main characters in the fight against microbial infection
Summary
It is well established that physical activity (PA) and healthy nutrition are vital lifestyle factors that influence lifelong health by improving body composition, musculoskeletal health, physical and cognitive performance. The WHO has identified lack of physical activity as a significant risk factor for global mortality. They recommended that some amount of physical activity is better than none and more physical activity is better for optimal health outcomes (Reardon et al, 2019; Bull et al, 2020). While association among many lifestyle (physical activity and diet)-related benefits, such as improved fitness, overall health/well-being, and perceived quality of life, are well documented (GBD 2017 Diet Collaborators, 2019). Majority of older adults are more prone to death by suffering from multiple chronic diseases, and they are living lives in poor health and with disabilities due to the burden of chronic diseases This is expected to put a strain on healthcare and social costs. We have discussed PA and exercise, and their relationship to various nutritional strategies for improving the immune system
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