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Energy Restriction with Different Protein Quantities and Source: Implications for Innate Immunity
Author(s) -
McFarlin Brian K.,
Flynn Michael G.,
Mahon Anne K.,
Stewart Laura K.,
Timmerman Kyle L.,
Lyle Roseann M.,
Campbell Wayne W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2006.138
Subject(s) - innate immune system , immunity , medicine , immunology , weight loss , endocrinology , postmenopausal women , obesity , physiology , immune system
Objective: Physical age, energy restriction (ER), and weight loss have been reported to suppress indices of innate immunity, which may increase the risk of illness. To evaluate these interactions, we recruited older, postmenopausal women (50 to 80 years) to fill one of the following 9‐week ER (1250 kcal/d) groups: beef [ n = 14; reported intakes 46% carbohydrate (CHO):24% protein (PRO):30% fat], chicken ( n = 15; 51% CHO:25% PRO:24% fat), or CHO ( n = 14; 59% CHO:17% PRO:24% fat), or a non‐intervention control ( n = 11). Research Methods and Procedures: Fasting blood was collected before and after ER to determine leukocyte phenotype, neutrophil oxidative burst capacity, natural killer cell activity, stimulated interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ production, and blood zinc and iron concentrations. Results: No significant effects of ER (8.6% weight loss) or PRO quantity and source were found for the majority of indices of innate immunity. Small but significant ( p < 0.05) declines in interleukin‐2 production were found in the chicken and CHO groups only; however, the clinical significance of this finding is not known. Discussion: In the present study, 9 weeks of moderate ER did not suppress immunity in postmenopausal women. Also, contrary to our hypothesis, differential zinc and iron intakes did not significantly alter immunity.