Author: Mark Velov
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Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
People who go on low-calorie diets during the flu season are more susceptible to viral infections.
People who go on low-calorie diets during the flu season are more susceptible to viral infections.
This conclusion is indicated by the observations of doctors from the University of Michigan, who applied such a low-energy intake on laboratory mice. Mortality from viral infection in the early days was higher than among mice that ate normally.
Natural killer cells are important in fighting viral infection. The researchers found that calorie-deprived mice did not produce enough of these cells. After infection, both groups of rodents had decreased appetite, but in those subjected to diet, recovery was slower. among them was a higher frequency of death, not serious weight loss and others. It is clear that the strong organism is ready to fight the virus, the clinical picture is lighter and it regains its ability to work faster.
Doctors advise low-energy diets to be carried out at any other time, but not in the critical autumn-winter period for the flu.