Does This Inflammation Gene Influence Susceptibility to Lung Failure? (SELPLG)

Regular Exercise

Research shows that certain types of physical activity can help to reduce levels of P-selectin, the protein that PSGL-1 attaches to that promotes white blood cell accumulation and inflammation [R].

According to a scientific review of 28 different studies, low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise lowers P-selectin in the body [R].

Researchers also found that high-intensity aerobic exercise causes a temporary spike in P-selectin, while resistance exercise appears to have no effect regardless of intensity [R].

Exercise also improves lung capacity and may help improve outcomes in those that develop ARDS [R, R].

This is because ARDS often leads to muscle weakness, which then lowers long-term survival chances for those that end up recovering from ARDS [R, R].

Research suggests that ARDS patients who are physically active are more likely to live longer and have better quality of life [R, R].

Low-to-moderate aerobic exercise may reduce P-selectin, the protein that PSGL-1 attaches to that promotes white blood cell accumulation and inflammation. Regular physical activity also improves lung health and may reduce the risk of respiratory conditions, like ARDS.

Weight Management

Several clinical studies demonstrate that obesity and metabolic syndrome are closely linked to inflammatory compounds, including P-selectin levels [R, R].

A study of 56 obese women found that those who lost 10% of their body weight over a 1-year period had significantly lower levels of P-selectin compared to where they started [R].

Studies also indicate that obesity is a strong risk factor for ARDS. Those who are overweight are much more likely to develop this respiratory condition [R, R].

A healthy weight can keep P-selectin levels in check and reduce the risk of developing ARDS.

Wear Blue Blocking Glasses at Night

Melatonin is known for its role in sleep, but it also has important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [R, R].

Research in animals suggests that melatonin may also lower the activity of P-selectin [R, R].

In animal studies, supplementation with melatonin was associated with lower rates of lung injury, sepsis, and ARDS [R, R, R].

A good way to boost melatonin is to wear blue light blocking glasses at night, which helps the body produce melatonin.

According to animal studies, melatonin may lower rates of lung injury, sepsis, and ARDS.

Avoid High-Fat Diets

Foods that are high in fats and triglycerides can cause a sharp rise in P-selectin. In fact, a single high-fat meal can increase levels by up to 40% [R, R].

Animal studies also show that high-fat diets may cause the lungs to be more susceptible to injury [R].

Mediterranean Diet and Olive Oil

Research shows that the Mediterranean diet has multiple health benefits, including a significant reduction in inflammatory factors [R, R, R].

In a study of 164 participants, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil decreased P-selectin levels by nearly 30% [R].

This diet has also been associated with improved lung health, especially in smokers. A study of 207 smokers found that those eating a Mediterranean diet had better lung function than those on a Western diet [R, R, R].

The Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil is associated with significantly lower P-selectin levels and better lung function.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an important role in the immune system. Deficiencies have been linked to inflammation and potentially increased risk for infections [R].

In a study looking at mice with sepsis, vitamin C injections helped bring down P-selectin levels and improved overall survival [R].

Vitamin C is also a crucial antioxidant that protects the lungs and helps fight viral infections [R, R, R, R, R].

A comprehensive meta-analysis gathered the data from 44 trials on vitamin C for the common cold and came to the following conclusions for preventive supplementation [R]:

• It doesn’t lower the risk in adults
• It cuts the risk in half in people exposed to intense exercise
• It reduces the cold duration by 8% in adults and 14-18% in children
• It decreases the severity of colds in all populations

A meta-analysis investigated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on pneumonia prevention (2,335 patients) and treatment (197 patients).

According to their results, preventive supplementation may reduce the incidence of pneumonia by 80%. When it comes to treatment, vitamin C may reduce the duration, severity, and mortality of pneumonia. That said, the authors emphasized the poor quality of most included studies [R].

Make sure to get enough vitamin C in the diet — it can reduce P-selectin levels while also potentially reducing the severity and risk of viral infections.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral that is important for many functions in the body, including the immune system [R].

A study of 20 patients with asthma found that supplementation with selenium reduced the expression of P-selectin [R].

A study of 40 people linked selenium deficiency with flu infection and pneumonia. In another study on 83 people with respiratory diseases, those with low selenium levels had worse outcomes [R, R].

In contrast, a study of almost 500 people associated high blood selenium levels with good lung function (measured as high FEV1) [R].

Some of the best food sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, and sardines [R].

Selenium deficiency is associated with viral infections and poor outcomes. Make sure to get enough of this essential mineral by incorporating seafood or Brazil nuts into the diet.

Garlic

Certain compounds inside garlic may suppress the expression of P-selectin, according to cell studies [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].

The latest analysis, however, failed to find any other studies with good quality. Overall, the evidence is insufficient to claim that garlic can prevent or fight the cold and flu [R].

Importantly, have in mind that cooked garlic is less potent than raw garlic because its main active compound (allicin) is broken down by heat [R, R, R].

Garlic may suppress P-selectin expression. Some studies also suggest that garlic may help prevent or reduce the severity of viral infections, but overall the evidence is inconclusive.

Dietary Polyphenols

Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds naturally found in many plants. Some foods that contain polyphenols include red berries, apples, oranges, vegetables, olive oil, dark chocolate, green tea, coffee, and red wine.

One cell study found that a polyphenol extract obtained from grape seeds can significantly reduce the expression of P-selectin [R].

Various polyphenols have also been found to act directly against viruses and to boost the immune system of people who consume them in large quantities [R, R].

In one study, healthcare workers who consumed large quantities of catechins (a type of polyphenol found in green tea) were less likely to develop respiratory tract infections than those who did not [R].

There is some evidence that dietary polyphenols can help reduce P-selectin expression while also lowering susceptibility to respiratory tract infections.

Probiotics

A study in rats found that a specific probiotic strain called Lactobacillus reuteri helped block P-selectin expression while also reducing inflammation in the colon [R].

Probiotic supplements including different species of Lactobacillus (L. casei, L. paracasei, L. delbrueckii, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, and L. gasseri) and Bifidobacterium (B. animalis and B. bifidum) reduced the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections in multiple studies on both adults [R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R, R] and children [R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Probiotics have been suggested to work by correcting imbalances in the gut microbiota that cause an impaired immune system [R].

Research suggests that probiotics may reduce inflammation and decrease the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections.

Curcumin

Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, decreases P-selectin expression, according to animal and cell studies [R, R].

In mice with acute lung injury caused by severe bacterial infections, curcumin (either injected, as a nose spray, or directly delivered into the lungs) prevented its progression to ARDS by reducing lung inflammation, swelling, and damage [R, R, R, R, R].

A recent study in mice suggested that curcumin protects from ARDS in part by promoting the development of anti-inflammatory Tregs [R]. 

According to animal studies, curcumin supplementation may suppress P-selectin expression, reduce lung inflammation, and prevent the progression of ARDS.

Resveratrol

Cellular studies show that resveratrol may reduce the expression of P-selectin and PSGL-1 [R].

In rats and mice, resveratrol and derivative compounds reduced lung injury, inflammation, cytokine storm, and tissue scarring, and prevented the development of ARDS [R, R, R, R].

Ginseng

Asian ginseng, also known as Chinese or Korean ginseng, may be able to decrease the expression of P-selectin, according to cell studies [R].

An active compound isolated from ginseng (ginsenoside Rb1) reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death in mice with lung injury, thus preventing its progression to ARDS [R, R].