Low-Calorie Diet Enhances Immunity

BOSTONAdhering to a low-calorie diet helps lose weight and significantly enhances immune health, according to a new study from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

The study was part of the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy trial conducted at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University.

As reported by Newswise, researchers followed 46 overweight men and women aged 20 to 40 who consumed either a 30- or 10-percent calorie-restricted diet for six months. Researchers studied specific biologic markers using a skin test used called DTH (delayed-type hypersensitivity) to measure of immune response at the whole body level. They also examined effects of calorie restriction on function of T-cells and other factors on the volunteers immune system. DTH and T-cell proliferative response were significantly increased in both calorie-restrained groups. The results concluded that short-term calorie restriction for six months in humans improves the function of T-cells.