Snacking Depresses Your Immune System

Feb 5, 2010 Posted by: Susan | Source: Wellness Resources

German researchers have identified a highly relevant new aspect of immunity. When you haven’t eaten for a while then insulin levels drop and unique genes are activated that directly stimulate the production of powerful antimicrobial peptides, in turn destroying germs by dissolving their cell walls. Conversely, snacking raises insulin which then prevents this aspect of immunity from activating. This is the first time that a powerful immune system mechanism has been directly linked to when you eat.

The immune regulating gene is called FOXO and it is conserved in virtually all animals – meaning that this is a fundamental survival operation of your immune system. It is apparently a preservation system left over from evolution wherein a common problem was not having enough food. This mechanism was …
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