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Herpes simplex viruss VP1-2 protein can deactivate the early immune response.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV1) infections are initiated at mucosal surfaces where the virus infects epithelial cells. When HSV1 spreads from the peripheral nerves and into the central nervous system, it can infect the brain and cause herpes simplex encephalitis, a rare disease with high mortality if left untreated. In most cases, the innate immune system prevents HSV1 brain infection, but HSV1 is sometimes able to evade the brains defenses. A research team from Aarhus University, University of Oxford, and University of Gothenburg, led by first author Chiranjeevi Bodda in Sren Paludans lab, discovered a molecular mechanism that helps HSV1 infect the brain, which they present in a study that will be published today (May 8, 2020) in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM).

The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein plays an important role in immunity, and it is activated by a viruss DNA during viral infection. STING initiates a cascade of cellular actions that help fight the invader. Those initial efforts include gene activation and production of cytokine proteins such as type I interferon (IFN) that boost the immune response. HSV1 has evolved multiple mechanisms to evade the host cells induction of type I IFN, Bodda explains, but how HSV1 evades the type I IFN response in the brain were not well understood.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV1) replication in brain slices was strongly impaired in the absence of its VP1-2 proteins de-ubiquitination activity (DUB, bottom row), as shown here by the reduced number of virus-producing cells (black). This highlights VP1-2s role in suppressing immunity. Credit: Bodda et al. 2020

The research team worked to identify proteins encoded in HSV1s genome that promoted HSV1s immune evasion in the brain. They infected mouse brain cells grown in culture with HSV1 mutants that were missing key genes, or whose gene activity was altered, and found that a HSV1 containing a mutated VP1-2 gene showed increased innate immune responses. Mice showed a similarly robust immune response against HSV1 with mutant VP1-2. This indicated that normal VP1-2 suppresses immunity.

The key difference between normal VP1-2 and the mutant VP1-2 was the mutant lacked its ability to remove a post-translational modification, called ubiquitin, from other proteins inside host cells after it infects them. Ubiquitin is one of several post-translational modifications known to modulate the STING cascades immune response. The team found that VP1-2 was targeting the STING activity in brain immune cells, known as microglia. The team further showed that VP1-2 can directly remove STING ubiquitination, which prevented STING from being activated for signaling. Before this study there was no knowledge on viruses altering ubiquitin in the brains immune response, Paludan says.

Our study shows that HSV1 targets STING ubiquitination in the brain to promote viral infection and potentially progression to herpes simplex encephalitis, Bodda says. A drug that inhibits the viruss ability to remove ubiquitin could allow brain cells to mount an efficient antiviral response against HSV1. This could especially benefit immunocompromised patients with severe HSV1 brain infection, particularly in cases that are resistant to the standard acyclovir treatment.

Paludan adds that though the study focuses on herpesviruses, there are parallels to the coronavirus and relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results lead us to hope that if we can prevent viruses from blocking STING, then we can prevent the virus from replicating. That could pave the way for new principles for treatment of herpes, influenza and also the coronavirus.

Rference: HSV1 VP1-2 deubiquitinates STING to block type I interferon expression and promote brain infection by Chiranjeevi Bodda, Line Reinert, Stefanie Fruhwrth, Timmy Richardo, Chenglong Sun, Bao-cun Zhang, Maria Kalamvoki, Anja Pohlmann, Trine Mogensen, Petra Bergstrm, Lotta Agholme, Peter OHare, Beate Sodeik, Mads Gyrd-Hansen, Henrik Zetterberg and Soren Paludan, 8 May 2020, Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM).DOI: 10.1084/jem.20191422

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Herpes Simplex Virus Can Infect the Brain by Evading the Immune Response - SciTechDaily

The innate immune system is full of targets that could be harnessed against diseases from cancer to lupus to epilepsy. But researchers have struggled to hit them because they didnt know the structure of those targets.

We didnt know the confirmation [of the targets], where the pockets are, how big they are, Marcelo Bigal, CEO of Ventus Therapeutics, told FierceBiotech. Which means trying to develop a drug against something you dont seeits drug development with the lights off.

With its structural immunology technology, Ventus is switching the lights on, emerging from stealth with $60 million from Versant Ventures and GV to advance three programs. The company is developing multiple small molecules against each of the three targets but is keeping specific disease areas under wraps, Bigal said.

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The company is working to inhibit the targets, which could be useful in several areas including brain, immune and cardiometabolic disorders as well as monogenic diseases, in which a genetic mutation causes the body to make too much of a disease-causing protein. But its also looking to stimulate those targets, which could come in handy fighting cancer.

Ventus pipeline aims at two main pathways of the innate immune system: the inflammasome and the DNA-sensing pathway, also called the interferon pathway. They form the bodys first line of defense, sensing danger within cells and sacrificing those cells to contain the threat, Bigal said. The companys platform does more than elucidate protein structureit also surmounts problems scientists have faced when trying to drug the targets in a lab dish.

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The targets exist as monomers, or small pieces of proteins, inside cells until they sense a threat. In response, theyll assemble into a larger protein, Bigal said.

But when you put monomers in vitro to do drug development, they immediately oligomerize and become this very large chunk of protein that nobody can handle, he said. With Ventus technology, its scientists can purify and immobilize these proteins, so they can study drugs in vitro before moving on to animal studies, where in the past, they would have gone straight to animal studies in a trial-and-error approach.

Ventus three programs are fully funded through meaningful inflection points, but Ventus has nine other targets that its not actively working on, Bigal said. All 12 offer partnership opportunities, whether a partner is interested in pursuing its three selected targets in other disease areas or in a target-based, disease area-based or platform-wide partnership.

Because we are well-funded, that means in the next month, its pipeline, pipeline, pipeline But meanwhile, we are allowing ourselves to have very selective conversations with pharma to foster possibilities for a quality partnership, Bigal said.

The company, which is based in Boston and Montreal, plans to grow to more than 30 scientists this year.

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Ventus uncloaks with $60M to chase targets in the innate immune system - FierceBiotech

Could suppressing the body's natural immune system help COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms recover from the illness? Scientists in America have suggested that it might, and are carrying out trials to test the method. Our immune system is essential in protecting us from the germs and bacteria we encounter every day, but doctors have observed that some of the fatalities caused by COVID-19 are brought about by the immune system going into overdrive and attacking healthy cells, a process known as a cytokine storm. Cytokine storms have been recorded as a complication of respiratory diseases such as SARS and MERS, and are thought to have been linked to the high fatality rate of the H5N1 influenza virus, also known as bird flu. It has also been observed in standard influenza cases. However, after running models comparing COVID-19 to the flu, researchers at the University of Southern California found that the progression of the new coronavirus was slower, In a paper published by the Journal of Medical Virology, the researchers suggested that the slower rate may be potentially increasing the pathogenic immune response in COVID-19 patients, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) has reported. The human immune system has two methods of fighting invasive pathogens: innate and adaptive. The innate, non-specific response is the first to kick in, quickly moving to attack foreign cells in the body as soon as they are detected. The adaptive response, which is specific to the pathogen, starts days later if the pathogen is still detected within the body. According to the research paper, the flu has an incubation period of only 48 hours or less, during which time the virus attacks cells on the surface of the upper respiratory system, killing almost all of them within that time period. But after that, the virus has nothing to attack, leaving the way clear for the innate immune response to attack the virus in turn, clearing it from the body before the adaptive response kicks in. With COVID-19, the virus takes longer to take hold - about six days. The researchers suggest that this gives the adaptive immune response time to activate, which can interfere with the innate response. The danger is, as the infection keeps going on, it will mobilize the whole of the adaptive immune response with its multiple layers, said Weiming Yuan, an associate professor from the University of Southern California and co-author of the paper, according to SCMP. This longer duration of viral activity may lead to an overreaction of the immune system, called a cytokine storm, which kills healthy cells, causing tissue damage.It may also explain why some people experience a second, more severe wave of the virus after an initial recovery period. Its possible that the combined effect of the adaptive and the innate immune responses may reduce the virus to a low level temporarily. However, if the virus is not completely cleared, and the target cells regenerate, the virus can take hold again and reach another peak, he said.The researchers have suggested that suppressing the immune system within this response window could delay the adaptive immune response, giving the innate system time to clear the virus from the patient's system before the immune system goes into overload. Based on the results of the mathematical modelling, we proposed a counterintuitive idea that a short regimen of a proper immunosuppressant drug applied early in the disease process may improve a patients outcome, said Sean Du, a researcher from the University of Southern California and co-author of the paper, according to SCMP. With the right suppressive agent, we may be able to delay the adaptive immune response and prevent it from interfering with the innate immune response, which enables faster elimination of the virus and the infected cells.However, not all medical professionals are in agreement with the researchers' suggestion. Ashley St. John, an immunologist at Duke University and National University of Singapore Medical School said that the proposed treatment was potentially very risky, and that a more targeted approach would be better. Suppressing the adaptive immune system is a very drastic step. It can be very dangerous because youre crippling your bodys ability to clear that last bit of infection, she said. Itd be nice if we can find something more specific, that is causing the pathology, which tipped the balance into severe disease rather than targeting the whole adaptive immune system.Du pointed out that at this stage the idea was only a theory which would need experimental research to back it up, he suggested animal trials would be a good way to do that. But, he added, any drug used to suppress the system would only be active for a short time, allowing the immune system to come back in afterwards and finish the job.

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Suppressing immune system could provide counterintuitive COVID-19 therapy - The Jerusalem Post

People are feeling especially lonely during this time of social distancing. Here's a look at new data on loneliness and what it can do to your body.

MINNEAPOLIS New research is shining a light on the impacts social isolation and an overall feeling of loneliness is having on our immune systems as millions of Americans are being urged to stay home.

"Anytime a patient has a significant shift in their environment... if thats their ability to socialize with other people or increased stress... it's going to cause an inflammatory reaction in the body," said North Memorial Health Physician Assistant Leslie Milteer.

Health experts say loneliness and self isolation in these uncertain times feeds on stress which can ultimately send your immune system into overdrive.

"There are some indicators that stress of any type either physical stress or injury trauma or emotional stress actually does increase the inflammatory mechanisms of the immune system and inflammation in general is attributed to a lot of different health conditions, said Milteer.

This can ultimately put you at a greater risk for things like cardiovascular disease, severe depression, even dementia.

"That's why its so important for everyone to make sure that theyre checking in with their family members, their social networks to make sure that theyre connected and if theyre feeling really out of sorts that they try to reach out to their healthcare providers," said Milteer.

When it comes to managing loneliness induced stress, it all comes down to being self aware according to health experts.

"Make sure theyre getting enough sleep, and that theyre taking care of their physical health through movement and exercise, getting outside whenever they can safely and just being aware of whats happening with their mind and their body," said Milteer.

So while we may not be able to get out and live it up like we once could, health experts say its important to note, we need others to sustain our health even if its from a distance for the time being.

"We dont want to imply everybody... because every person is unique but the majority of people do need to have some reasonable ongoing connection with people that they love and trust... it's really important for all aspects of health," said Milteer.

KARE 11s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visitkare11.com/coronavirus for comprehensive coverage, find outwhat you need to know about the Midwest specifically, learn more about thesymptoms, and seewhat companies in Minnesota are hiring. Have a question? Text it to us at 763-797-7215. And get the latest coronavirus updates sent right to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to the KARE 11Sunrise newsletter here. Help local families in need:www.kare11.com/give11.

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The impacts social isolation has on the immune system - KARE11.com

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) "Stay Healthy" is a phrase we're hearing a lot these days. Both at home and as you get ready to head back to work. As 13 Action News prepares for The Rebound, anchor Tricia Kean shows us eating right is a big part of building a strong immune system.

"I feel like we have been pretty good. There are sometimes where the cookies look tempting," says Henderson teen Karsyn.

She and her mom, Wendy, say they're making a conscious decision every day to eat right.

DO MEAL PREP

"Well I have the time. So I'm kind of doing the meal prep. Cutting up all the vegetables, putting them in containers. So it's easy enough for her to go to the fridge or myself if we do want to snack," says Wendy.

They admit they still love their fast food. But Wendy says she's trying to cook more.

"I've brought in old recipes I used to do when the kids were little," says Wendy.

BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY

"70% of our immune cells stem from our gut. So if you want to boost your immunity, you need to feed your stomach, your gut, the healthy foods," says registered and licensed Dietician, Jennifer Trevino.

She says we all should be taking time to prepare healthier meals. It begins with lean meats like salmon, chicken and turkey.

LEAN PROTEINS

"You definitely want to get protein in your diet. Lean proteins over red meat are preferred. You want to decrease your saturated fat content," says Jennifer.

Then Jennifer says, eat lots and lots of fresh vegetables. You want to make sure you're getting plenty of vitamin C.

GET VITAMIN C

"All fruit and green leafy vegetables have vitamin C in them. So if you don't like citrus fruit it's fine. Pick up an apple, a pear, watermelon, they all have vitamin C in them," says Jennifer.

And don't worry if the fresh vegetable aisle is limited.

FROZEN VEGETABLES

"If you can't find fresh, the next best option is frozen. Frozen vegetables are picked at their prime and then flash frozen. Actually a lot of times frozen vegetables have more nutrients than fresh vegetables," says Jennifer.

Stay away from prepacked foods when you can like cookies, breakfast cereals and soda.

SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES

"Simple carbohydrates when you break it down are basically just sugar. It spikes our glucose super super fast. That will lead to inflammation and kind of feeding your bad bacteria, that don't produce the good immunity we need," says Jennifer.

WATER, WATER, WATER

Whatever you decide to eat, good or bad, just don't overdo it. Jennifer says practice portion control and drink plenty of H2O.

"Water, water, water is the elixir of life. We're in the desert. The weather is starting to warm up. So we're gonna need more if it," says Jennifer.

As for Karsyn, she says she enjoys her mom's healthy cooking. Even when she doesn't actually know what it is!

"I love salmon so much. I love chicken. My mom makes this really good broccoli stuff and these noodles," says Karsyn.

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Eating the right foods to boost your immune system - KTNV Las Vegas

As Covid-19 cases fill the worlds hospitals, among the sickest and most likely to die are those whose bodies react in a signature, catastrophic way. Immune cells flood into the lungs and attack them, when they should be protecting them. Blood vessels leak, and the blood itself clots. Blood pressure plummets and organs start to fail.

Such cases, doctors and scientists increasingly believe, are due to an immune reaction gone overboard so that it harms instead of helps.

Normally, when the human body encounters a germ, the immune system attacks the invader and then stands down. But sometimes, that orderly army of cells wielding molecular weapons gets out of control, morphing from obedient soldiers into an unruly, torch and pitchfork-bearing mob. Though there are tests and treatments that could help to identify and tamp down this insurrection, its too early to be sure of the best course of therapy for those who are suffering a storm due to Covid-19.

Variants on this hyperactive immune reaction occur in an array of conditions, triggered by infection, faulty genes or autoimmune disorders in which the body thinks its own tissues are invaders. All fall under the umbrella term cytokine storm, named because substances called cytokines rampage through the bloodstream. These small proteins there are dozens are the immune armys messengers, transiting between cells with a variety of effects. Some ask for more immune activity; some request less.

Heres what scientists know about cytokine storms and the part they play in Covid-19.

Rising storm

When the cytokines that raise immune activity become too abundant, the immune system may not be able to stop itself. Immune cells spread beyond infected body parts and start attacking healthy tissues, gobbling up red and white blood cells and damaging the liver. Blood vessel walls open up to let immune cells into surrounding tissues, but the vessels get so leaky that the lungs may fill with fluid, and blood pressure drops. Blood clots form throughout the body, further choking the blood flow. When organs dont get enough blood, a person can go into shock, risking permanent organ damage or death.

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Most patients experiencing a storm will have a fever, and about half will have some nervous system symptoms, such as headaches, seizures or even a coma, says Randy Cron, a paediatric rheumatologist and immunologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and co-editor of the 2019 textbook Cytokine Storm Syndrome. They tend to be sicker than you expect, he says.

Doctors are only now coming to understand cytokine storms and how to treat them, he adds. Though theres no failsafe diagnostic test, there are signs that a storm may be underway. For example, blood levels of the protein ferritin may rise, as may blood concentrations of the inflammation indicator C-reactive protein, which is made by the liver.

The first hints that severe Covid-19 cases included a cytokine storm came out of Chinese hospitals near the outbreaks epicentre. Physicians in Wuhan, in a study of 29 patients, reported that higher levels of the cytokines IL-2R and IL-6 were found in more severe Covid-19 infections.

Excerpt from:
Cytokine storms: When the body attacks itself - BBC News

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted millions of lives and most of us are coming to grip with the new normal of social isolation, self quarantining, home schooling, and working (or not working) from home.In her recent Harvard Medical School article, Dr. Uma Naidoo, discusses how healthy eating can reduce anxiety and boost your immune system during these uncertain times.

The negative effects of stress on the immune system are well known. Dr. Naidoo explains, the unfortunate reality is that stress worsens feelings of low mood or angst, and it also suppresses our immune systems. Therefore, targeting immune-boosting foods will have a dual effect you may feel less anxious and boost your immunity.

She recommends choosing the following immune boosting foods:

These healthy immune-boosting foods are also better for your waistline than your typical overly-processed comfort foods such as chips, baked foods or candy.Dr. Naidoo suggests we control our environments.If there isnt junk food in the cabinet, we cant eat it. We all have to eat, so attending to our nutrition is something we can all control, and then reap the benefits of an improved mood, boosted immunity, and a healthy weight.

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Countries around the world may be imposing more and more collective measures to guard their people against the novel coronavirus, but what we do individually, especially in terms of upping our own bodies' defenses, is also of vital importance. Meanwhile, having a healthy and balanced diet and eating adequately from all food groups also plays a key role in a strong immune system.

Eating only certain types of food and having a diet that lacks in color, literally, can possibly be the worst thing you can do right now, according to nutrition and dietary specialist Aye Sena Binz from Acbadem Kozyata Hospital.

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals is of great importance for a strong immune system. Besides, it is crucial to have home-cooked foods, choose seasonal fruits and vegetables and cook meals at home to ensure food hygiene," she says, stressing that these are the points people usually don't pay enough attention to when consuming food, which could be all the difference our bodies need to fight COVID-19.

Binz says there are a number of eating habits that leave our immune system, and thus us, vulnerable to the coronavirus. Here are the top 10 we must avoid:

Mistake No. 1: Skipping breakfast

In order to meet your daily energy and protein needs, you should not be skipping main meals, while elevenses or snacks in between should also be indispensable for our diet, Binz says. Skipping breakfast "the most important meal of the day" may increase the amount you eat in other meals, leading to blood sugar imbalances.

Your body's resistance also drops when hungry, she said, suggesting adding egg as a quality source of protein to your breakfast every day. "Its high iron and vitamin A content will help support your immune system."

Eggs should be paired with rich Vitamin C sources such as greens, peppers and oranges to help the absorption of iron, she added.

Mistake No. 2: Neglecting snacks

Be sure to have some lighter meals and snacks in between main meals to maintain blood sugar balance, control appetite and meet daily nutritional requirements. Snacks such as fruit and yogurt/milk/kefir or fruits and nuts such as almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts or multi-grain bread and cheese can help increase body resistance by providing protein, vitamin/mineral and fiber balance.

Mistake No. 3: Eating the same things

Say no to the monotone diet. By eating adequate amounts and combining different types of food, we increase their availability in our body. Noting that the protein, vitamin and mineral content of each food is different, Binz said: "We need to make sure that our meals contain high-quality protein, iron and zinc from sources such as meat, chicken, fish and eggs; whole-grain products and legumes with high fiber and vitamin B content; fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant content; and oilseeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, which are great sources of omega-3 and omega-6."

Mistake No. 4: Not drinking enough

Drinking an adequate amount of water is essential for digestion, the absorption of nutrients, getting rid of harmful waste from the body and other metabolic events. Our body actually needs 30 milliliters of water per kilogram of our weight (or about half an ounce per pound) daily, Binz pointed out.

Constipation, which can develop in the intestines as a result of inadequate water intake, can negatively affect intestinal health, which directly affects the immune system. For this reason, water consumption should be distributed in a balanced manner around the clock to suit the individual's needs, she added.

She also warned that the temperature of the water you drink was also another factor that could do more harm than good, especially when it comes to hot water. People tend to think that the viruses might die if they drink hot enough water, but this will only damage the throat and oral mucosa, she said, adding that lukewarm is the way to go.

Mistake No. 5: Overdoing it on pickles

Probiotic foods such as yogurt, kefir and homemade pickles are highly beneficial for the intestinal flora, which helps bolster our body resistance by strengthening our immune system.

However, overdoing it on the pickles, and consuming it in excessive amounts in hopes that it will destroy the virus will cause harm, she cautioned.

It should be remembered that the amount of salt in pickled products harms the lining of the stomach. Consuming a lot of such foods can cause health problems in people with chronic diseases (such as hypertension and heart disease) and weaken the immune system, she said.

Consuming foods such as bananas, apples, artichokes, celery, asparagus, onions, garlic, leeks, legumes, whole grains, flaxseed, almonds and walnuts can increase the effect of probiotics, and therefore help strengthen the immune system, she added.

Mistake No. 6: Pastries and desserts, all day every day

Consuming simple carbohydrates that do not contain fiber such as packaged foods, cakes, candies and pastries disrupts our blood sugar balance. Only providing satiety for a short amount of time, these types of foods can make us eat more in our next meal and cause us to gain unhealthy weight due to their high-calorie content. At the same time, since they do get in the way of meeting our daily protein, vitamin/mineral needs, they can negatively affect our immune functions. To bolster your immunity, consume foods that contain healthy carbohydrates such as vitamin B and fiber-rich whole-grain bread, bulgur, soup and other whole-grain foods, Binz says.

Mistake No. 7: Not consuming enough protein

Protein is vital for building and repairing tissues and fighting viral and bacterial infections. Low protein intake can cause our immune system to weaken while consuming far too much can cause kidney problems such as kidney stones.

Mistake No. 8: Too little or too much vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an important role in protecting the body from infections. Since vitamin C cannot be stored by the body, make sure to regularly consume citrus fruits, greens, peppers, kiwi and tomatoes. However, using vitamin C supplements without medical supervision could also do harm, and cause kidney stones. Try to get your vitamin C from foods, instead of relying on outside sources.

Mistake No. 9: Ignoring food-prep advice

Binz says it is essential that you pay attention to how your meals are prepared to ensure their nutritional value is preserved. For example, due to the sensitive nature of vitamin C (sensitive to heat, light and oxygen), she says fruits and vegetables should be consumed as soon as possible, without cutting them up with a metal knife as much as possible. Ideally, they should be added in the last possible minute before serving. She adds that a portion of the vitamins in fruits and veggies usually get lost during the cooking stage so it's important not to overcook.

Mistake #10: Eating raw and undercooked foods

On that note, there are certain foods that definitely should not be undercooked or consumed raw. For the bacteria to die while cooking varieties of meat, their internal temperature must be 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) and above. It is very important that meat is cooked well because uncooked meat can put food safety at risk with bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, she noted. Similarly, consuming well-boiled or fried eggs not only allows us to benefit from their vitamin and protein content but also prevents the formation of bacteria.

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10 nutritional mistakes that weaken your immune system | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah

Written in response to the letter Social distancing should be reduced during offseason. Id like to start by agreeing that there are many unknowns about this virus. What we do know from biology is that our immune systems are built and strengthened by interaction with the environment around us. How is isolation affecting our immune systems? Are they being strengthened or weakened? Between reduced day-to-day interaction with the environment and other people, compounded by the stresses of secondary impacts (increases in depression, domestic violence, child abuse, substance abuse, financial, etc.) how strong are immune systems expected to be after six to eight weeks of staying at home?

Typically during a pandemic, the response is to quarantine the sick. In this case, we have been quarantining the healthy, as well. While this was an appropriate response in the absence of data at the start of the outbreak, now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some baseline on the infection and morbidity rates of this particular strain of crown virus, does this strategy continue to make sense? The longer this goes on, the deeper the sense of fear being instilled. This is not about personal inconvenience. Rather, it is about the overall well-being of everyone in our community.

Yes, we are beginning to relax, just a tiny bit. Again, the next five weeks present an opportunity to reengage even a little more in a mindful way that helps build our immune systems and begins to mitigate the wide range (and in many cases, long-term) secondary impacts of closing down the county.

Current limitations/requirements for many businesses such as personal services (especially spa, salons, yoga studios) food services, retail and day care are restrictive to the point that some business owners may not even open. This would be sad.

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Letter to the editor: Social distancing could be hurting our immune systems - Summit Daily News

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | Published: May 7, 2020 4:40:48 pm These traditional immunity boosters can be extremely helpful. (Source: Getty/Thinkstock Images)

For a strong immune system, the body requires energy and nutrients. This depends on what an individual consumes regularly. Moreover, it is important to understand that strong immunity is not built overnight, but by religiously consuming healthy food that has high nutritional value. The immune system protects the body from any kind of bacterial or viral infections by preventing them from invading our bodies. Thus a stronger immune system is an essential means of fighting bacterial or any other viral infections.

In addition to a balanced diet, include these traditional immunity bosting potions, suggests Anushka Baindur, senior dietician, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore:

* Golden milk/ turmeric milk: Turmeric has a component called curcumin that can repair cell damage, and fight disease and infection.

* Tulsi tea: It has essential oils that help relieve symptoms of respiratory infections like cold, cough and congestion.

* Moringa soup: Moringa leaves are rich in iron and vitamin A, both required to keep the immune system strong.

* Spice concoction: Make a spice concoction or kashaya or kadha with cumin, fennel seeds, black pepper, and cinnamon that helps with symptoms of cold and cough.

Ever since the coronavirus outbreak has taken over our lives, a lot of nutritionists have shared recipes for immunity-boosting drinks. Heres one that you can try:

Ingredients

*Pinch of ginger*Pepper*Turmeric*Cinnamon*Cloves*500ml Water*Honey, if needed

Method

* Boil all the ingredients together until the water is reduced to half. Switch off the flame. Sieve it. Add organic honey if you like and drink.

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Turn to these traditional immunity boosters for better health - The Indian Express

Eating the right foods not only helps improve your mood, but it can also aid in boosting your immune system. A strong immune function fights off infection and health problems that can escalate with stress.

Dr. Taz Bhatia, an immune support and wellness physician, says a healthy immune system begins in our gut. The gut actually is 75% of your immune system. The majority of the immune fighting antibodies we need are made in the gut, so what we eat definitely matters. Its important to note that no research has been done on foods that help fight against COVID-19 specifically, but these eight expert-approved foods can improve your overall health.

Fatty fishes like salmon, tuna and mackerel are high in Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which help control inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can weaken and disrupt the function of our immune systems.

Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory properties. It brings inflammation down, even inflammation when it pertains to your brain, explains Bhatia. You can add turmeric as a spice to your food or take it as a tea. Bhatia suggests adding a little honey to your turmeric tea for a tasty, healthy anti-inflammatory drink.

Kale boosts our immune system because it has two critical ingredients: fiber and antioxidants, specifically vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight off things like the cold and even the flu. says Bhatia.

Guava is that surprise fruit that you never think about, says Bhatia. Guava has one of the highest vitamin C concentrations of most citrus fruits. Yes, even oranges. Vitamin C can help fight common bacterial and fungal infections.

Red bell peppers have a ton of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. Bhatia suggests adding them raw to a salad or roasting them. Theyre going to help keep your immune system primed by providing the oxygen your cells need to fight off viruses and bacteria, she explains.

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Green chilies are also chock-full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals (compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high) in our bodies. Eating them raw is the trick here, says Bhatia. It helps not only improve your metabolism and kind of get everything humming and active again, but also provides a nice antioxidant burst.

Tomatoes have many uses but their magic ingredient is something called lycopene, says Bhatia. Lycopene is a natural pigment that gives some vegetables and fruits its red color. Lycopene plays a role in something called cytokine storm, which is when your immune system goes haywire and needs to be shut down, she explains.

Oranges absolutely make the list because theyre rich in vitamin C, which may increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections. It actually doesn't have as much sugar as many people think, Bhatia says. So go ahead and have at least an orange a day.

For the latest coronavirus news and updates, follow along at https://news.yahoo.com/coronavirus. According to experts, people over 60 and those who are immunocompromised continue to be the most at risk. If you have questions, please reference the CDCs and WHOs resource guides.

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These 8 foods will boost your immune system and overall health - Yahoo News

BORIS Johnson is set to address the nation on Sunday with a roadmap for how to tweak the current lockdown measures.

Andthe plans could include a possible return to the workplace, with face masks made compulsory and a potential ban on hot-desking amid the coronavirus pandemic.

1

However, while we've all been looking forward to this, there's no doubt people will be feeling wary about heading out on their commute and into offices again.

But there are some steps everyone can take to get control over their health before returning to work.

Here, with the help of some top experts, we take you through some tips for boosting your immunity before resuming 'normal' life...

The gyms may be shut - but dont let that discourage you from getting your exercise in.

As Clarissa Lenherrr, Nutritionist at Bioniq, says: "Exercise promotes blood circulation, and mobilises antibodies, and white blood cells which are responsible for detecting and attacking bacteria and viruses."

According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people who exercise five or more days a week spend 46 per cent fewer days laid up with a cold or respiratory virus compared to those who work out only once a week or not at all.

Not only that, but fitter people also experience less severe symptoms when they do get a cold, and they recover more quickly.

Exercise promotes blood circulation and mobilises antibodies

The NHS suggests that adults should be physically active in some way every day and should engage in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity.

This could include, gardening, brisk walking, swimming, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity e.g. running, dancing, spinning.

If you dont want to leave the house, check out some online classes that you can do in the comfort of your own home - there's plenty available online.

We recommend Psycle'sInstagram Live fitness classes - which includeabs blast sessions, revival yoga, HIIT, barre and meditation.

Staying hydrated supports your bodys ability to eliminate toxins and waste materials, which is vital for a strong immune system.

Clarissa says: "I would recommend avoiding too many caffeinated drinks, as these may lead to increased toilet trips and potentially dehydration!

"Aim for 1.5-2 litres of water every day and if you are craving something warm, reach for herbal teas such as lemon and ginger, not only will this help to ease any discomfort you might be feeling, but is can also reduce inflammation that causes cold symptoms."

Whilst we can try to provide our body with everything it needs to keep our immune system healthy, its not always possible.

As Clarissa says: "Supplementing alongside a healthy diet can give your immune system a helping hand."

Vitamin D contributes to immune system strength, and during lockdown, when we're stuck inside for a lot of the day our vitamin D levels can be at risk of depletion.

This is because one of our main sources of vitamin D comes from sun exposure.

Supplementing alongside a healthy diet can give your immune system a helping hand

Health chiefs issued an update on the Public Health England website saying that during coronavirus lockdown, people should take a vitamin D supplement to compensate for the lack of sunshine.

We also recommend trying Pure Sport'sImmunity Booster Pack - a unique product containingTurmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper, CBD - known for boosting the immune system and keeping the body fighting fit.

Each ingredient has beencarefully measured to give the exact dosage needed to get the most out of these ingredients.

The pack includes their 3000mg Tincture & 1500mg Ginger, Turmeric & CBD capsules - designed to keep body & mind at ease and immune system functioning at its absolute best.

What's the recommended daily dose of vitamin D?

Public Health England is recommending Brits to consider taking vitamin D supplements due to the lockdown.

Although they are very safe, taking more than the recommended amount every day can be dangerous in the long run.

Below are the recommended daily doses depending on age:

You may want to swerve those 'Zoom Happy Hours' and put your Quarantinis to one side.

This is becauseheavy drinking is known to deplete our immune cells.

Jane Clarke, Dietician and Founder of Nourish, says: "While the occasional glass of alcohol shouldnt affect your immunity too much, heavy drinking has been shown to impact on immune cells in two ways.

"It can make microphages, our first line of defence, less effective. And if bugs do pass through that barrier, we need lymphocytes our infection-fighting white blood cells to continue the battle.

"Unfortunately, excess alcohol seems to reduce numbers of lymphocytes in our body."

Eating plenty of fruit and veg every day can work wonders for your immune system.

Jane says: "One reason fruit and vegetables are so loved by nutritionists is that theyre packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for the bodys immune system to function effectively.

Theyre packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for the bodys immune system

"The best approach is to include fresh fruit and vegetables as part of your daily diet.

"If eating a lot of fibre is an issue, then try cooking them to make them easier to digest. Soups are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre."

Evidence suggests that lack of sleep can make us more vulnerable to bugs, so getting those zzzzs in are crucial to boosting immunity.

Jane says: "Fluctuating blood sugar levels can disrupt sleep patterns, so try to eat regular smaller meals or sip a Nourish Drink between meals for sustained energy throughout the day.

"A starchy evening meal also seems to help the body wind down at the end of the day, so youre more likely to fall asleep at a reasonable time.

"A glass of warmed milk or Nourish Drink is an excellent pre-bed soother, or try our recipe for Lavender Milk."

With lockdown restrictions, financial fears and health concerns causing constant worries its no surprise many people are feeling stressed during the coronavirus outbreak.

However, stress can suppress the immune system and make you more vulnerable to infection, according to experts.

Researchhas found that stress causes a release of the hormone cortisol, which can boostinflammation, a precursor to many diseases, in your body.

Chronic stressmay also interferewith the infection-fighting ability of your white blood cells, making you more susceptible to contracting illnesses.

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Dr Jenna Macciochi, one of the UK's leading Immunologists, said: "Stress is one of the major contributors to an unbalancedimmunesystemand susceptibility to infections.

"Its important to try and reduce as much as you can through breathing techniques or just taking a moment to have a good cuppa."

Also, try to do some exercise to boost mood and circulation each day by creating a mini routine and find something fun that keeps you fit and active that makes you feel better.

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Adaptive Biotechnologies(NASDAQ:ADPT) has begun a virtual clinical study to map the immune responses of people who have contracted COVID-19 or who are likely to have. Working withMicrosoft(NASDAQ:MSFT),Illumina(NASDAQ:ILMN), andLabCorp(NYSE:LH), the biotech company is collecting blood samples from people in 24 U.S. cities that have been hard hit by the disease.

Currently, there are two types of tests for COVID-19. The first are PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which reveal whether a person is currently infected.These tests are based on the DNA of the coronavirus, and all researchers need is a nose or throat swab from the patient to run them.

The second type is a serology test: Using a sample of the patient's blood, this will look for the presence of specific antibodies that are generated by the immune system in response to SARS-CoV-2. Unlike a PCR test, serology tests will reveal people who have recovered from COVID-19 and no longer have active infections.

Image source: Getty Images

Adaptive Bio is creating an even more specific test that will detect the presence of T cells (white blood cells that bind to and kill infected cells). Then, working with Illumina and Microsoft, the company will use machine learning to map the genomes of all the immune receptors responding to SARS-CoV-2.

This mapping is similar to what scientists did with the human genome two decades ago. Those scientists had to sequence 30,000 genes, compared to the millions of genes Adaptive is mapping.

The ImmuneRace study will be a real-world test of whether Adaptive Bio can successfully map our immune response to a new and dangerous disease. As of noon Wednesday, the company's stock was up 1.9%.

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Adaptive Biotechnologies and Microsoft Announce New Study of COVID-19 Immune Response - Motley Fool

Suzy Cohen, Columnist Published 5:02 a.m. ET May 4, 2020

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to keep us healthy by defending the body against harmful invaders.(Photo: iStock)

People are starting to think outside the pill as they shelter-in-place and look online for herbs and vitamins that support immune function.As consumers become savvier about natural plant-based medicine, we are seeing increasing interest in one herb called Andrographis.

More: Ask the Pharmacist: How to make your own hand sanitizer

Research articles typically refer to one of its biologically active constitutes called andrographolide. This is an extracted natural compound from the leaves and stem of Andrographis paniculata. Its one of many compounds that has a medicinal action on the body.

Andrographolide has many powerful actions on the human body and may help cardiovascular conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension. This cluster of problems is sometimes called metabolic syndrome.

Andrographis is used widely overseas for a variety of conditions, but especially those of the upper respiratory tract. For example, Andrographis is commonly given to people who suffer with respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza, sore throats, acute and chronic cough conditions, sinusitis, bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract infections with fever. Here in the US, pharmaceuticals are typically used for these conditions, either to treat the infection, or as an adjunctive. Thats why youve probably never heard of Andrographis until today.

That said, if you have Lyme, you may have heard of this before because Lyme doctors should know about Andrographis. Its an herb that can be used to target and destroy the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi and in my opinion, it probably works better than cats claw.

Today, Id like to share some findings about Andrographis. It is sold over-the-counter however, ask your doctor if this is something you should take for your individual concerns. Im not a doctor so I cannot advise. Furthermore, I am not suggesting this as a treatment for COVID-19 or any coronavirus.

Studies done on animals suggest that Andrographis might help with brain inflammation such as encephalitis. In one study, andrographolide improved synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (in animals) and down-regulated the expression of genes that were causing harm.

In other words, andrographolide helped ameliorate symptoms of brain damage in rodents.

Can it do that in humans? No one can say but getting into the brain is a big deal. A recent study on this herb found that it could produce some anxiolytic effects on the brain, but it was in combination with ashwagandha. That means it has some activity on GABA receptors and therefore, your sleep cycle. The adaptogenic potential of andrographis suggests that it knows what to do in the body and can regulate physiological responses by turning them up or down, depending on what your body needs. Thats how adaptogens work.

There are over two dozen species of andrographis, and only a some have useful medicinal properties. I have a longer version of this article listing more benefits. You can get it if you sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com Andrographis is sold in dietary supplements nationwide and online. It comes in various forms. Again, I must ask you to refer to your practitioner to see if its right for you.

More: Ask the Pharmacist: Skullcap root holds promise for immunity and sleep

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. The information presented here is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any condition. Visit SuzyCohen.com.

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Ask the Pharmacist: Immune system benefits of Andrographis - Marco News

It is possible that the immune systems of babies born to mothers with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have the capacity to kill off the virus during gestation. This may be why only 5% of infants born to women with the virus are themselves born infected.

These theories are put forth in a new paper published in Gut by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.

The study authors studied 55 pregnant women at a maternity hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia. Forty of them had an active HCV infection, and the remainder had antibodies to the virus but no active infection.

Three of the babies born to the women with active infection were infected with hep C.

The investigators monitored the infants through 18 months of age, taking routine blood samples. They also included samples from 18 other infants who had been infected with HCV at birth.

It turned out that both the babies who had hep C at birth and those that were exposed to the virus in utero but tested negative at birth had certain changes in their adaptive immune systemsspecifically, adaptations in their B lymphocytes. These immune cells produce antibodies that can identify and root out foreign pathogens.

The immune system of the healthy babies shows similar changes to that in babies infected with hepatitis C, study author Niklas Bjrkstrm, a doctor and researcher at the department of medicine at the Karolinska Institute, said in a press release. This could suggest that the immune cells have encountered the virus in the womb and managed to eliminate it before birth.

A possible explanation is that most babies exposed to the virus in utero manage to deal with it, which we can later see by the B lymphocytes, Bjrkstrm continued. One interesting hypothesis is that these cells can contain novel information that we can use to protect ourselves against hepatitis C in the future.

To read a press release about the study, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.

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Infant Immune System May Kill Hepatitis C While in Utero - Hep Treatment News

Some people may develop severe COVID-19 because of how their immune systems respond to the coronavirus, according to scientists who used a mathematical model to map how our bodies interact with the bug.

The team, from the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, suggest drugs that suppress the immune system may help prevent people who catch the coronavirus from becoming seriously ill, but state more research is needed to explore this idea.

More than 3.5 million people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started late last year, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than one million people are known to have recovered, and 247,630 people have died.

In the latest study, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, the team created a mathematical model to look at two different approaches the body can take to tackling invaders like the coronavirus: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Our innate immunity is not specific to a certain pathogen, and includes parts of the body like the skin, mucous membranes, and some white blood cells. In contrast, our adaptive immunity is built up by the body against a specific intruder, after we are infected.

According to the researchers, a "mismatch" between when each immune response kicks in may affect the severity of COVID-19.

When creating the model, the team took into account factors such as which cells are susceptible to being infected by SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), how the virus replicates in the body, how infected cells respond, and how the immune system tries to clear the virus.

SARS-CoV-2 invades and kills specific cells in the respiratory system. The team believes that as the disease progresses relatively slowly, it does not kill all the cells it can target when it first infects a person. This slow burn allows new target cells vulnerable to the virus to develop.

That means adaptive immunity starts up, but peaks before levels of the virus have reached their height and SARS-CoV-2 has killed all the cells it can target. This enables the bug to keep on invading cells, and prevents the innate immune response from killing it off.

Sean Du, adjunct researcher at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and lead author of the study, said in a statement this may explain why some patients with COVID-19 see their symptoms improve before their condition then gets worse.

"It's possible that the combined effect of the adaptive and the innate immune responses may reduce the virus to a low level temporarily. However, if the virus is not completely cleared, and the target cells regenerate, the virus can take hold again and reach another peak."

However, the team cautioned that as there is relatively little experimental data available on SARS-CoV-2, their research is "based on our best assumptions and observations."

Study co-author Weiming Yuan said in a statement that as the virus is active in the body for a long period of time, the immune system may overact and trigger what is known as a cytokine storm.

Cytokines are proteins that the immune system creates. A cytokine storm happens when these proteins are created at such a high level that the body attacks its own healthy cells. This causes tissue damage, said Yuan.

The pair suggest giving patients drugs that suppress the immune system early on in the disease could help prevent them from becoming seriously ill. The team hope their study will prompt more research on this question.

"Based on the results of the mathematical modeling, we proposed a counterintuitive idea that a short regimen of a proper immunosuppressant drug applied early in the disease process may improve a patient's outcome," Du said in a statement.

"With the right suppressive agent, we may be able to delay the adaptive immune response and prevent it from interfering with the innate immune response, which enables faster elimination of the virus and the infected cells."

The authors noted that as they were working on their mathematical model, a separate team of researchers released a pre-print study involving 46 COVID-19 patients on the website medRxiv that mirrored their findings.

This team found taking drugs known as corticosteroidswhich reduce immune system activityearly on in the disease seemed to help people recover faster. This paper has not been through the rigorous peer review process required to publish in scientific journals, so findings should be taken with caution. Releasing studies this way enables scientists to prompt debate on a topic and are particularly useful during a fast-moving situation like a pandemic.

The anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have also been explored as potential treatments for coronavirus infection because they have a "potent" effect on the body's immune response. But, these drugs may in fact dampen the body's natural immune response, warned the authors of an article published in FASEBJournal.

Danny Altmann, professor of Immunology at Imperial College London and spokesman for the British Society for Immunology, who did not work on the study, commented on the research into the immune response to COVID-19.

He told Newsweek predictions made through mathematical modeling always have the potential to inform us of what the immune response may be. This is particularly important when scientists are racing to understand the body's immune response to the coronavirus, he said.

"The value of mathematical predictions is in their ability to inform directions in empirical lab studies," he said. "As the model suggests, some parts of the immune response may indeed be pathogenic through their excessive damage either through cytokine storm or inflammatory tissue damage in the lung."

The Statista chart below shows the countries with most COVID-19 cases.

Hygiene advice

Medical advice

Mask and glove usage

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Some COVID-19 Patients May Get Seriously Ill Because of the Timing of Their Immune Response, Study Suggests - Newsweek

LOS ANGELES A new research study out of the University of Southern California reveals how an irregular immune response to the COVID-19 infection can lead to some of the more severe symptoms seen in coronavirus patients.

Researchers used mathematical modeling to simulate the immune response to a coronavirus infection. They found that suppressing the immune system during the early stages of theinfection might help patients avoid the severe symptoms.

When a person is infected with a virus the body deploys its first line of defense the innate immune response. This stage of defense targets the virus and any cells damaged by the virus and kills off as much as it can. If there is any virus remaining after a few days the body calls on its adaptive immune response. This stage of defense uses special types of cells T cells and B cells to target and kill the rest of the virus and infected cells.

This strategy of immune response is typically very effective. When someone gets infected with the flu,the virus acts quickly to attack and destroy infected cells in the upper respiratory system. These cells are killed off within a couple of days, so the innate immune response focuses on clearing the body of any flu virus left in the body before the adaptive response is activated.

The time-course of COVID-19 makes this immune response strategy ineffective, and quite possibly counterproductive. The coronavirus has an incubation period of about 6 days, so the innate immune response does not have time to clear away the virus before the adaptive immune response is activated. This slows the progress of the disease, and the adaptive immune response is put into overdrive trying to fight the virus.

Professor Weiming Yuan, associate professor in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and co-corresponding author of the study comments on the risks of a hyperactive adaptive immune response, in a release. The danger is, as the infection keeps going on, it will mobilize the whole of the adaptive immune response with its multiple layers. This longer duration of viral activity may lead to an overreaction of the immune system, called a cytokine storm, which kills healthy cells, causing tissue damage.

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The authors suggest that the timing of the immune responses might also explain why some people infected with COVID-19 experience the disease in two separate waves.

Some COVID-19 patients may experience a resurgence of the disease after an apparent easing of symptoms, says lead author Sean Du. Its possible that the combined effect of the adaptive and the innate immune responses may reduce the virus to a low level temporarily. However, if the virus is not completely cleared, and the target cells regenerate, the virus can take hold again and reach another peak.

The researchers use the results of their mathematical models to offer a new strategy for combating the virus.

Based on the results of the mathematical modeling, we proposed a counterintuitive idea that a short regimen of a proper immunosuppressant drug applied early in the disease process may improve a patients outcome, says Du. With the right suppressive agent, we may be able to delay the adaptive immune response and prevent it from interfering with the innate immune response, which enables faster elimination of the virus and the infected cells.

Researchers hope to validate their mathematical models by using daily measurements of viral load and other biomarkers in patients infected with COVID-19. Also, preclinical research needs to be conducted to test the effectiveness of the immunosuppressant treatment strategy. The mathematical models indicate that this is an effective strategy, but we need hard science to back this up.

The study is published inThe Journal of Medical Virology.

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Study: Coronavirus Severity Can Be Weakened By Suppressing The Immune System - Study Finds

Vaccines can be made to combat bacteria (like pneumococcus, a bacteria species that is the leading cause of pneumonia) and viruses (like measles, the most infectious disease known). A vaccine may use either attenuated (weakened) strains of the bacteria or virus, or purified structures of the bacteria or virus. By being primed against the invader, the body is ready to respond in the case of actual exposure to infection. Both types can provide long-lasting protection from infection. Although most vaccines are for infections that, if survived, the body has immunity to, some vaccines provide immunity to an infection that even survivors do not develop immunity to. One example is tetanus.

Vaccines teach the immune system how to make antibodies to a particular infection, and may also stimulate the cellular immune system. The way this works is complicated, and physicians spend months learning how the immune system works and how vaccines interact with the immune system. By contrast, vaccine scientists spend years or decades learning in great detail how to make safe and effective vaccines.

At the time I write this, I know of many different teams trying heroically to develop a safe and effective vaccine against coronavirus. A vaccine could prevent millions of deaths. As a provider on the front line of taking care of these patients, I cannot express how much I look forward to a vaccine. As a person in their 80s, you should, too.

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Let go of negative childhood experiences and get vaccinated - STLtoday.com

Youre probably familiar with your immune system your physiological immune system, that is. Its the one that sends white blood cells to dispatch with pathogens. But what about your psychological immune system? This is an especially important idea to think about now, in the time of COVID-19 and social distancing.

The term psychological immune system was coined by psychologists Daniel Gilbert, who is probably best known for his book Stumbling on Happiness, and Timothy D. Wilson, who is known for his research on self-knowledge. But the basic concept goes back to Sigmund Freud and his ideas regarding defense mechanisms, which were elaborated on by his daughter, Anna Freud, in her book, Ego and Mechanisms of Defense. In fact, ego defense is, at least for our purposes, a mechanism to protect the self, or self-image, from whatever threatens it.

A good way to think about the psychological immune system is provided by Emily Rosenzweig, senior behavioral scientist at Ochsner Health, a nonprofit academic health care system in Louisiana: A range of mental processes triggered by a threat to our sense of self-esteem, self-worth and self-concept.

What can threaten a persons self-image, or their self-worth? How about being referred to as a nonessential worker?

What can threaten a persons self-image or self-worth? Heres an example: being referred to as a nonessential worker and told to stay home, losing a significant amount of income in the process.

Heres where you can use your psychological immune system to help. You can tell yourself that you are valuable to society, the current pandemic situation is temporary and the lives of many others are diminished, even if just a little bit, by your absence.

You should also admit to yourself that people can still live meaningful lives without you, and thats OK, too. It doesnt diminish your value as a human being.

Positive self-talk can be quite helpful. However, dont overdo it.

For example, you wouldnt want to tell yourself that without you being there, the lives of others are completely devoid of meaning and those people are just miserable. Knowing thats probably untrue would likely make you feel worse.

Theres a sweet spot, says Rosenzweig. But, she adds, you cant deny existing negative emotions. If you try to completely obliterate those negative emotions, however, youll probably wind up feeling worse as your brain produces counterarguments that undo your attempts to make yourself feel better.

We are committed to reliable reporting on the risks of the coronavirus and steps you can take to benefit you, your loved ones and others in your community. Read Next Avenues Coronavirus Coverage.

Being aware of your psychological immune system means youll be better able to recognize when it kicks in.

Think about the coping mechanisms you use in a stressful situation or when dealing with the difficulties life throws at you. Do you feel better when you pour yourself a glass of wine or three? Do you avoid dealing with things by binge watching Netflix?

Avoidance is one of your psychological immune systems tactics, even though it may not be good for you in the long run. Like your physiological immune system, your psychological immune system can opt for the short-term fix over long-term wellness.

Not that drinking one glass of wine or watching two episodes of your favorite show are counterproductive. We all need some downtime. Both are easy to overdo, however, and that undermines the effectiveness of your psychological immune system.

So, what can you do to bolster optimal functionality of your psychological immune system?

First of all, you need to feel motivated.

Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the bestselling book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, has a suggestion: Exercise.

Exercise reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes a better mood all factors that go into motivation, Ratey says.

Of course, you also need to feel motivated to exercise and in the tug-of-war between staying fit and Netflix, that motivation can be hard to come by.

Ratey suggests doing something easy, like going for a walk every day, preferably outside, even if its just a short walk.

Cant go outside? Theres an app for that. Ratey suggests downloading the free 7 Minute Workout app on your phone. Its all bodyweight exercises, and it activates all major muscle groups. There are many other workout apps you could try as well.

Theres also something you can do to maximize the effectiveness of exercise, at least when it comes to your brain and your psychological immune system: Use exercise to help you turn goal-directed behaviors into healthier new habits while making progress towards your goals.

Having a goal is a good way to motivate yourself, but also a way to focus on those behaviors you need to make progress towards that goal.

For example, getting out of debt and becoming financially solvent requires a series of smaller steps to achieve. A good first step in that direction is to create a household budget, which is something you can work on a bit each day while social distancing.

Heres how exercise fits in: Stress can impair your ability to undertake goal-directed behaviors by making you fall back on normal habits. If your habits are binge-watching Netflix, drinking alcohol or eating cereal late at night, stress may reinforce those less-than-ideal behaviors.

But exercise reduces stress and increases motivation. So, its a behavior you might undertake to achieve the goal of better cardiovascular fitness, losing weight or both. In that way, its a goal-directed behavior all by itself. But exercising will also help you stay motivated and focused on your other goal-directed behaviors, by reducing stress and increasing motivation.

Stephen L. Antczak is a freelance writer, specializing in articles about money, work, volunteering, education and aging.

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Your Brain Has an Immune System, and You Can Boost It - Next Avenue

According to some of the more dramatic pandemic predictions, as many as 150 million Americans will come down with COVID-19 before a vaccine becomes widely available. While avoiding it altogether is the ideal scenario, as the virus continues to spread, for many, infection is inevitable.

Given that unfortunate reality, building up a personal defense system against an invisible enemy is paramount, according to the experts.

In March, Banner Health published a blog post: How You Can Boost Your Immune System, with the message: A strong immune system is the ultimate defense against illness, whether its COVID-19, seasonal flu, or something else. The posts advice is largely mundane: Get eight hours of sleep, eat nutritious foods, exercise, hydrate, and do what you can to reduce stress in an incredibly stressful time.

Most people understand that adopting healthier habits is a good idea, but can these habits really boost your immune system so that a coronavirus infection looks more like, say, a common cold? Jessica Lancaster, an immunologist researcher at the Mayo Clinic, thinks its a distinct possibility.

If you had two people with the same virus exposure and very similar genetic makeup, Lancaster said, and if one had been better overall sleeping, eating well, and exercising that person would most likely be much better off than the person who is not caring for themselves as well.

The microscopic novel coronavirus typically enters the body through the nose, she said. From there, it begins a deliberate and dangerous process of multiplying and penetrating deeper down the respiratory tract and into the bloodstream. A spry immune system bolstered by exercise, healthy food, and plenty of sleep will harass the virus before it wreaks the kind of havoc that requires hospitalization, ICU admission, or a ventilator.

Essentially, the immune system is a collection of cells, surveilling our body for unwelcome visitors: viruses, bacteria, various toxins, and cancer. When something isnt right, alarm bells go off and the immune system springs into action to make things right.

Jessica Lancaster, immunologist at the Mayo Clinic

YouTube/Mayo Clinic

Our immune systems ability to react to alarm bells and fight off foreign intruders depends on a multitude of factors. Among them are our age, where we live, what we do for work, and three biggies: good sleep, low stress, and healthy eating. These things have a profound effect on two major contributors to our immune systems sharpness: chronic inflammation and cortisol levels.

In the case of COVID-19, the virus hijacks lung cells and eventually damages them to where they become inflamed. But when there is chronic inflammation in people, such as those with preexisting conditions like heart disease or lung disease, the immune cells are worn out or lulled to sleep.

In these cases, Lancaster said, [immune cells] are kind of used to hearing these signals over and over again. When they have to actually respond to something, they're already exhausted.

For example, if you are regularly exposed to toxic chemicals that cause inflammation, like cigarette smoke, you can have a boy that cried wolf situation, where the body gets jaded to these constant warning signs of trouble and is slower to respond.

For someone with COVID-19, any kind of delayed immune response can be catastrophic.

When you have something that is quite aggressive like coronavirus, which can strike really quickly if you have a lagging immune response, that can be devastating because by the time everything is mobilized, its too late. There's too much damage to the lungs, Lancaster said.

One simple way to avoid inflammation is to avoid overeating. If you eat too many calories, it can be hard for your body to regulate its blood sugar. And that leads to inflammation, Lancaster said, adding that this kind of blood sugar-induced inflammation tends to affect the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.

When it comes to supplements, Lancaster is ambivalent. But she admitted that when she gets sick herself, she takes zinc lozenges. She cited some inconclusive evidence that Vitamin C may have some antiviral properties or may be simply reducing inflammation across the body.

Cortisol is another of the bodys loud alarm bells. It is our primary stress hormone, and according to Lancaster, it can cause drastic changes to the way that your cells can function on a genetic level. A burst of cortisol here or there can help you spring into action to avoid a threat, but too much, too often can leave your body stuck in an uncomfortable, unhealthy kind of overdrive.

Lab research shows that immune cells can't fight viruses as well when they are injected with cortisol. In 2018, researchers at the University of Kent found cortisol levels to be a critical factor at play in leukemia cases, showing that the stress hormone hinders the immune systems ability to incapacitate intruders before they really get destructive.

Reading, meditating, and especially exercising may lower cortisol levels in people.

Exercising has the added benefit of helping you get your eight hours of sleep, all of which helps reduce inflammation and regulate stress hormones.Last week, a cardiovascular researcher at the University of Virginia released findings suggesting that an antioxidant that is naturally released during exercise can significantly reduce the risk of suffering fromacute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe problem that occurs in 20 to 42 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Exercise, the research found, boosts production of an antioxidant known as extracellular superoxide dismutase, or EcSOD, which "hunts" atomic free radicals that can harm the body's cells.

Beth Jacobs

University of Arizona

"We cannot live in isolation forever, said Zhen Yan of the University of Virginia School of Medicine in an April 15 University of Virginia news release. "Regular exercise has far more health benefits than we know. The protection against this severe respiratory disease condition is just one of the many examples.

Beth Jacobs, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Arizona, is wary about making any promises about how any type of immune boosting can influence ones chances of coming down with a bad case of the virus.

"We know essentially nothing about COVID19 yet," she said in a recent interview.

In lieu of more specific knowledge about the virus, she echoes Lancasters sentiments about the importance of healthy habits. When it comes to immunity, she said, it is all about the three interlocked concepts, which are diet, physical activity, and sleep.

Essentially, [sleep] is the time when you're repairing what's happened during the day, Jacobs said. It allows you to heal up to take on the next day.

While science has yet to uncover the inner workings of sleep, Jacob says we can infer its value from its incredible cost. Our ancient ancestors risked being eaten while they laid motionless for hours a day for it, she pointed out.

She urges persistence and patience in developing new, healthy habits, stressing that we are still at the very beginning of the pandemic. Try new recipes and get outside, Jacobs urged.

Use the time to go outside and walk," she said. "And if you've never walked before, just take a 10-minute walk, and then a 15-minute walk next week. Just keep going."

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Boosting the Immune System Really Does Help With COVID-19, Experts Say - Phoenix New Times