How Your Belly Fat Is Linked to Your Immune System

Getting fatter is always linked to the inappropriate diet rich in sugar, fats, carbs, and low in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Everyone knows that too much fat is dangerous and it's affecting the health. In this article you'll learn how your belly fat is linked to your immune system.

How Your Belly Fat Is Linked to Your Immune System

Every person, even those skinny ones, has a sheet of fat mass on the abdomen. This fat mass has a very important role for the immune system.

In this sheet of fat mass named 'omentum', which connects the abdomen with all the organs inside it, such as the spleen, liver, colon, and stomach, it has been found during some studies the presence of some clumps of immune system cells.

Back in the 1874 was when the scientists have discovered these cells in rabbits. More specifically, these clump of immune system cells were named 'milky spots' and have been shown that there role is to filter the fluid from the abdomen which seems to circulate between organs.

These clumps of cells are gathering all the bacteria, microbes, cells, and antigens before offering an immune response, if needed.

Interestingly, there is a form of cancer that attacks this 'omentum' (fat mass sheet that covers the abdomen).

'Omentum' cancer is rare and commonly there are other forms of cancer that can spread to this fat mass sheet on the abdomen, such as ovarian cancer or gastrointestinal cancers.

Troy Randall, professor at the University of Alabama, thinks that in the case of cancerous cells, this 'omentum' formation makes mistakes and it neglects cancerous cells instead of offering an immune response. Additionally, he says that once they are in the 'omentum', the cancerous cells begin to grow and to multiply.

Researchers are hoping that studying this formation of fat mass that contains immune system cells besides regular fat cells can be the answer in finding a way to treat cancer.

Fortifying your immune system.

Fortifying the immune system is beneficial for your health. Here are 5 easy ways to do that.

1) Diet

Following a diet rich in antioxidants is essential to support the immune system. A diet abundant in many fruits and vegetables, will bring antioxidants that fight free radicals (derived chemicals known for DNA damage and suppression of the immune system).

Choosing healthy fats (such as omega-3 fatty acids available in various seeds and fishes) instead of saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products) can help increase your body's production of compounds involved in regulating immunity.

For an additional immune stimulus, try to regularly add garlic (indicated in bacteria and viruses combat) and ginger (a natural anti-inflammatory) to your diet.

Drink plenty of water and keep away sugary drinks, such as alcoholic beverages and energy drinks.

2) Exercise the immune system

Regular physical activity can mobilize T cells, a type of white blood cells known to protect the body against infection.

In a study conducted in 2006 on 115 women, participants who did moderate exercise (such as walking) for an average of 30 minutes a day for one year had about half the risk of colds than those who have not exercised regularly.

3) Reducing stress

Chronic stress can have a negative impact on immunity, according to a review of 293 studies made in 2004 with a total of 18,941 participants. Analysis suggests that prolonged stress can greatly weaken the immune system and increase vulnerability to diseases.

4) Sleep and hygiene

Simply keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to get rid of the diseases. Make sure you wash your hands 15 to 20 seconds (using warm water and soap) before preparing foods or after you cough, sneeze, use the bathroom, or touch pubic areas.

Another vital healthy habit for disease prevention is a full eight hours of sleep each night that could help regulate immune function.

5) Herbs and supplements

Although scientists have not yet been able to determine whether vitamin C can enhance immunity, there is some evidence that this antioxidant can reduce the incidence of colds.

It is also known that stress drastically reduces the amount of vitamin C in the body leaving the body exposed to dangers.

Medicinal herbs such as Milkvetch (Astragalus), Echinacea, and Elderberry are recognized in traditional medicine to strengthen the immune system and fight colds or flu.