What Role Does This Immunoglobulin Play in Lung Failure? (AGER)

There are few studies on strategies, diets, or supplements that directly influence RAGE or sRAGE. However, we do know that NF-κB, an inflammatory signal, is part of a feedback loop that increases both inflammation and RAGE. Furthermore, researchers have studied how many compounds promote or block the formation of AGEs, the compounds that bind to RAGE receptors [R, R].

Exercise and physical fitness improve the immune response and reduce rates of illness. However, for the purposes of immunity and preventing infections, it’s important to stay within your comfort zone; periods of intense physical training have been linked to windows of reduced immunity [R].

In simple terms, getting and staying physically fit but not overtaxing yourself could help improve defenses against viral infection. Exercise has also been found to specifically reduce NF-κB in human muscle, according to a study of active adult men; it may also prevent the formation of AGEs [R, R, R].

Yoga has also been found to decrease inflammation, reduce NF-κB, and potentially improve the immune response, but more data is required [R, R].

Physical fitness and moderate exercise broadly decrease inflammation and improve immunity.

Zinc is considered crucial for good immune defense. Even a mild deficiency can impair immune function and increase the risk of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections [R, R].

In malnourished infants and children, zinc administration reduced the duration, severity, and incidence of respiratory infections [R, R, R].

Zinc may help improve health outcomes in severe forms of pneumonia. Zinc deficiency, which is common in older people, reduces immune defense and increases the risk of walking pneumonia and other infections [R, R, R, R].

According to some estimates, zinc deficiency contributes to about 16% of lower respiratory infections. Unsurprisingly, zinc deficiency has also been linked to higher NF-κB and the formation of AGEs [R, R, R, R].

Supplements are available, but most people get enough zinc from zinc-rich foods like seafood (especially oysters), beef, pork, beans, and pumpkin seeds [R, R, R].

Zinc deficiency impairs the immune response and increases inflammation. Most people can avoid deficiency by eating zinc-rich foods like beef and pork.

The Mediterranean diet is a popular option for people looking to reduce inflammation through what they eat. One of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of this diet appears to be through reduced activation of NF-κB [R].

Clinical trials have found that eating a Mediterranean diet protected immune function in people with chronic inflammatory diseases and improved lung function in smokers [R, R].

One study found that the Mediterranean diet also reduced the production of AGEs [R].

In addition, the diet can help reduce blood pressure and your risk for cardiovascular and heart disease [R, R].

It can also help increase insulin sensitivity and prevent type 2 diabetes [R, R].

The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil, with moderate intakes of fish, chicken, and meat.

The Mediterranean diet is a popular anti-inflammatory diet that may also improve the immune response.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is actually fairly high in AGEs; however, its anti-inflammatory properties outweigh any detrimental effects of AGEs binding to their receptors [R].

Olive oil is considered an essential anti-inflammatory component of a successful Mediterranean diet, and it is believed to be partially responsible for the benefits of this diet. Furthermore, using olive oil as a primary dietary fat appears to prevent NF-κB activation [R, R].

Garlic

Garlic extracts have also been found to reduce NF-κB activation in human blood. Garlic also prevents the formation of AGEs, with aged garlic being more effective than fresh for this purpose [R, R].

In a study of 120 people, aged garlic extract reduced the severity of colds and the flu. It increased the number of immune cells (T cells and NK cells), thus boosting the immune system while lowering inflammatory proteins (cytokines) [R, R].

Another clinical trial on 146 healthy volunteers found that taking an allicin-containing garlic supplement every day helped prevent the common cold and reduce its duration [R].

Ginger

Ginger suppresses NF-κB activation and may also block the formation of AGEs [R, R].

In 32 critically ill patients with ARDS and dependent on mechanical ventilation, a diet supplemented with ginger (given through a feeding tube) improved blood oxygen levels, reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation, and prevented pneumonia [R, R].

Tea

Tea polyphenols have also been found to reduce NF-κB activation in animals and cells. Both green and black tea also prevent the formation of AGEs [R, R, R].

In one study, healthcare workers who consumed large quantities of catechins (the equivalent of 2-3 cups of green tea per day) were less likely to develop respiratory tract infections than those who did not [R].

Certain foods have been found to block NF-κB activation, prevent the formation of AGEs, and broadly reduce inflammation. These include olive oil, garlic, and tea.

Fish Oil (DHA)

DHA’s anti-inflammatory benefits may be tied to NF-κB suppression [R].

In rats, feeding fish oil directly reduced the expression of RAGE. This effect has not been studied in humans yet, but it suggests that fish oil could be an especially good supplement for people with high-RAGE genotypes [R].

A number of studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) may improve lung function, primarily by reducing inflammation in the airways [R, R, R].

A scientific review of 7 clinical trials of over 2,000 children suggests that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy may reduce the incidence of wheezing and asthma in the child [R].

Andrographis

Andrographolide, an active compound from andrographis, blocks NF-κB [R].

Andrographis extracts reduced symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and headache in people with uncomplicated respiratory tract infections [R, R, R, R].

A meta-analysis of 33 trials with over 7k people concluded that andrographis can help reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections [R].

Astragalus

Astragalus has been found to block NF-κB in a lab setting. Its active compounds may also prevent the formation of AGEs; however, these effects have only been observed in cell studies [R].

A meta-analysis of 2 studies concluded that astragalus might prevent upper respiratory tract infections in children with kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome). However, another scientific review could not identify any strong clinical trials that support the use of astragalus for respiratory infections [R, R].

NAC

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an anti-inflammatory compound that blocks NF-κB and prevents tissue damage [R, R].

Doctors often add NAC to standard treatments for respiratory inflammation and infections. It helps break down mucus and replenish glutathione in the lungs, thus reducing airway damage and breathing difficulties [R, R, R].

Anti-inflammatory supplements that block NF-κB and prevent the formation of AGEs may be especially helpful to people with problematic AGER alleles. Fish oil may directly decrease the expression of RAGE.