Modifiable Factors of the Immune System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture on modifiable factors affecting the immune system.

Alcohol

Dampens the immune system by disrupting gut barrier and microbiome, decreasing T/NK cell function, and increasing infections.

Smoking

Causes epithelial damage and neutrophil-driven inflammation leading to increased infections, autoimmunity, and cancer risk.

Obesity

Results in chronic metaflammation and impaired immune response, increasing susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases.

Sleep Loss

Reduces natural killer cell activity and vaccine responses, elevating the risk of infections.

Stress

Activates the HPA axis to release cortisol, which leads to impaired T cell function and increased inflammation.

Microbiome

Refers to the collection of microbes living in/on humans and their functional activity which affects immune responses.

Social Isolation

Triggers chronic background inflammation which increases risk for cardiovascular, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Innate Immunity

The body's first line of defense that includes physical barriers and immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells.

Adaptive Immunity

A specific immune response that involves lymphocytes including B cells and T cells that adapt to specific pathogens.

Cytokine Imbalance

Disruption in cytokine levels that can lead to chronic inflammation and affect immune responses.

Chronic inflammation

Long-term inflammation that can cause damage to body tissues and leads to various diseases including cancer.

Nutrition/Diet

Plays a crucial role in immune function by providing essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, influencing gut microbiome health and inflammatory responses.

Exercise

Regular physical activity modulates immune cell function, reduces chronic inflammation, and enhances immune surveillance, thereby improving overall immune defense.

Alcohol

Dampens the immune system by disrupting gut barrier and microbiome, decreasing T/NK cell function, and increasing infections.

Smoking

Causes epithelial damage and neutrophil-driven inflammation leading to increased infections, autoimmunity, and cancer risk.

Obesity

Results in chronic metaflammation and impaired immune response, increasing susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases.

Sleep Loss

Reduces natural killer cell activity and vaccine responses, elevating the risk of infections.

Stress

Activates the HPA axis to release cortisol, which leads to impaired T cell function and increased inflammation.

Microbiome

Refers to the collection of microbes living in/on humans and their functional activity which affects immune responses.

Social Isolation

Triggers chronic background inflammation which increases risk for cardiovascular, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Innate Immunity

The body's first line of defense that includes physical barriers and immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells.

Adaptive Immunity

A specific immune response that involves lymphocytes including B cells and T cells that adapt to specific pathogens.

Cytokine Imbalance

Disruption in cytokine levels that can lead to chronic inflammation and affect immune responses.

Chronic inflammation

Long-term inflammation that can cause damage to body tissues and leads to various diseases including cancer.

Nutrition/Diet

Plays a crucial role in immune function by providing essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients, influencing gut microbiome health and inflammatory responses.

Exercise

Regular physical activity modulates immune cell function, reduces chronic inflammation, and enhances immune surveillance, thereby improving overall immune defense.