While reviewing publications on nutrition and immune function, a study on the effects of multivitamin supplementation in the context of environmental factors, such as pollution, particularly stood out to me. The study aimed to assess whether multivitamin supplementation could alleviate symptoms associated with "sick building syndrome," which is linked to prolonged exposure to environmental factors that carry pollutants.
The study involved 350 participants, with 212 receiving the multivitamin supplement and 138 forming the control group for 3 months. The participants, who were employees from various companies, showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics, behaviors, or workplace exposure risks between those who took the supplement daily for three months and those who did not.
The multivitamin supplement, taken as one tablet per day, included the following active ingredients and doses: Vitamin C (1000 mg), Vitamin E (45 mg), Vitamin A (700 μg), Vitamin D (10 μg), Vitamin B6 (6.5 mg), Folate (400 μg), Vitamin B12 (9.6 μg), Selenium (100 μg), Zinc (10 mg), Copper (0.9 mg), and Iron (5 mg).
Results showed that significantly fewer study participants who received the micronutrient supplement reported symptoms such as headaches (48.9% reduction), sore eyes (45.5% reduction), nasal congestion (51.9% reduction), throat inflammation (27.2% reduction), tiredness/pain (40.8% reduction), and symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections, such as colds (30.2% vs. 50.0%), flu (24.5% vs. 38.4%), cough (26.9% vs. 50.0%), and diarrhea (11.8% vs. 33.3%).
Pollution and cigarette smoke can significantly impair immune function, particularly when combined with poor nutrition. Reactive oxygen species found in, and generated by, pollution can disrupt the body's oxidant-antioxidant balance, leading to oxidative stress, which requires a sufficient supply of antioxidants to counteract.
Immune cells, which contain a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their plasma membranes and are therefore prone to lipid peroxidation, are especially vulnerable to changes in the oxidant-antioxidant balance. Oxidative damage can compromise the integrity of immune cell membranes and disrupt signal transmission both within and between immune cells, leading to an impaired immune response.
Air pollution is a critical concern, especially in developing countries, causing 7 million premature deaths each year. It increases the risk of respiratory infections, with 14% of air pollution-related deaths linked to lung diseases. A person's nutritional status can influence their susceptibility to the harmful effects of air pollution. A lack of antioxidants can lead to more oxidative stress, and even mild nutritional deficiencies can weaken the immune system, raising the risk of infection and inflammation. As demonstrated in this supplementation study, dietary supplements may help reduce the harmful effects of air pollution and strengthen resistance to infections.
Reference:
Haryanto B., Suksmasari T., Wintergerst E., Maggini S. Multivitamin supplementation supports immune function and ameliorates conditions triggered by reduced air quality. Vitam. Miner. 2015;4:1–15.
Photo by Joshua Fernandez on Unsplash
Comentarios