Plant sterols and sterolins: Potential immune system modulators
Hoffman Centre
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Sterols are plant fats found in all plant-based foods. Sterols, including cholesterol, are in the same large classification family of steroids but they do not have the negative effects that often are associated with steroids. Sterolins are glucosides, which are molecular structures joined to the sterol. Sterolin is easily destroyed, and without it, the sterol does not have the same immune-enhancing benefits. In nature, plants never contain sterols only. The sterols are always associated with their glucoside sterolin. The original research on sterols and sterolins was based on an extract of the African Hypoxis plant or “African Potato.” Its nomenclature derived because of the potato-like appearance of the Hypoxis plant. Because of the presence of other potentially harmful substances contained within the Hypoxis plant, other plants were investigated as sources for the sterols and sterolins used in supplementation.
Sterols are plant fats found in all plant-based foods. Sterols, including cholesterol, are in the same large classification family of steroids but they do not have the negative effects that often are associated with steroids. Sterolins are glucosides, which are molecular structures joined to the sterol. Sterolin is easily destroyed, and without it, the sterol does not have the same immune-enhancing benefits. In nature, plants never contain sterols only. The sterols are always associated with their glucoside sterolin. The original research on sterols and sterolins was based on an extract of the African Hypoxis plant or “African Potato.” Its nomenclature derived because of the potato-like appearance of the Hypoxis plant. Because of the presence of other potentially harmful substances contained within the Hypoxis plant, other plants were investigated as sources for the sterols and sterolins used in supplementation.
Wheat, for instance, contains about 4,200 milligrams of plant sterols per 100 grams, while wheat flour contains only about 52 milligrams of total plant sterols per 100 grams! The removed bran contains about 4,500 milligrams of total plant sterols per 100 grams and the unrefined oil about 2,600 milligrams per 100 grams. Crude plant oils are a relatively rich source of phytosterols and their glucosides, but most of these are removed during refining. While soybeans contain about 160 milligrams of total plant sterols per 100 grams, the crude oil contains approximately 350 milligrams. This is reduced to 220 milligrams when the oil is refined and is further reduced during hydrogenation. This applies to all plant oils.
In order to consume 100 milligrams of plant sterols, however, one would have to eat 500 to 700 grams of fresh vegetables and fruit or about 200 grams of flour products (without additives). This amount has to be doubled for a normal dietary supply due to the fact that sterols and sterolins are tightly bound to plant fiber and therefore are not completely absorbed. When processed food is eaten or when one is under stress, the attenuated rate of sterolin/sterol absorption is more acute. Slimming diets, ill health and old age also seriously reduce the intake of sterols and sterolins.
Sterols and sterolins seem to illicit immune regulating effects. Before we discuss this let’s take a closer look at the immune system.
The immune response has two ways of dealing with foreign pathogens. The B-lymphocytes synthesize specific antibodies called immunoglobulins. This is known as humoral immunity. The other system involves T-lymphocytes, which regulate the synthesis of antibodies as well as direct killer cell activity and the inflammatory response of delayed type hypersensitivity. This system is known as cell-mediated immunity. The T-cells are further divided into helper lymphocytes (Th) and cytotoxic cells (Tc), also known as suppressor cells. When the T-cells encounter a foreign pathogen (antigen) they further secrete a number of communication molecules called lymphokines, cytokines, interleukins or interferons. These factors further elaborate and direct the immune response to a specific antigen. The whole process is a symphony of many co-factors, which are orchestrated into a sophisticated immune response. The T-helper cells are directly involved in assisting B-cells as well as coordinating their own cell-specific defense. The T-helper cells are further divided into two distinct lines of defense. The Th1 cells promote the cell-mediated line of defense and inhibit the other line known as Th2 cells, which regulate the humoral defense. The Th2 cell lines control the B-cells and inhibit the cell-mediated response of the Th1 lymphocytes. A careful balance between these two functions is thus achieved. When one line predominates, there is the opportunity for immune dysregulation to occur, resulting in either a hyper-immune response causing an autoimmune disease or a hypo-immune response resulting in an uncontrollable infection such as AIDS or tuberculosis. The Th1 helper cells secrete lymphokines such as interleukin-2 and gamma interferon. Th2 helper cells secrete pro-inflammatory lymphokines such as interleukin-6, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10. Interleukin-1 appears to be released in response to a specific injury and acts as an inflammatory mediator. Interleukin may be over-expressed in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Interleukin-1 deficiency is associated with metastatic tumors, nutritional deficiencies and certain autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-6 is associated with pro-inflammatory responses as well as mediating the proliferation and maturation of T-cells. High levels of interleukin-6 have been associated with a variety of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, multiple myelomas and some cancers such as cervical and bladder cancer. Interleukin-2 is a growth factor for T-cell maturation as well as an inducer of T-cell cytotoxicity and natural killer cell activity. An interleukin-2 deficiency would cripple the cell-mediated immune response and its stimulation would enhance the overall efficacy of the immune system. Immune dysregulation occurs when the two sides of the immune response become imbalanced.
Stress and our body chemistry
The body has developed mechanisms to protect it from the damaging effects of stress. The “fight-or-flight” response is one way the body deals with extreme situations of stress. Upon realizing we are in danger, the brain sounds an alarm, telling our adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline and cortisol, which mobilizes the body to fight or run. This response is supposed to be a short-lived reaction yet today most of us are in and out of this state continually. As a result, our immune system becomes imbalanced, sending out too many inflammatory cytokines. Our adrenal glands become exhausted, weakening several body systems, especially the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. What mechanism in the body occurs when we are under constant stress that causes disease?
When we are exposed to stressors our adrenal glands secrete the stress hormone cortisol, causing a corresponding drop in our anti-aging and immune enhancing hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). A tremendous body of research has shown that when cortisol goes up, DHEA drops and when DHEA is normal, cortisol also normalizes. Low DHEA levels are seen in those that are immune compromised, have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes and lupus.
Cortisol helps the body maintain homeostasis in the face of stressors counteracts inflammatory and allergic reactions, and controls the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates. Cortisol is a very misunderstood hormone. Balance is the key. In naturally low doses it stimulates the immune system and in high doses, as prescribed in synthetic drug form, it can be immune suppressing. Remember that cortisol plays a role in counteracting inflammatory responses in the immune system and when cortisol is not available because the adrenal glands have become exhausted from too much stress, inflammation is allowed to continue unchecked. Conversely, too much cortisol and you have immune suppression.
The immune system also responds to stressors by causing certain immune cells to secrete the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). These cytokines are both involved in inflammation and IL-6 in particular is thought to worsen the symptoms of autoimmune diseases and fibromyalgia. Interleukin-6 has been found to act as a growth factor in several tumors and some viruses also use IL-6 to replicate. Interleukin-6 also causes calcium to be released from bone, promoting osteoporosis. We must control the release of these cytokines if we want to enhance immunity and reduce degenerative diseases.
In the presence of stressors the immune system and endocrine system work as an integrated circuit. Deficiencies in the immune system and abnormalities in the cross talk with the endocrine system can influence the susceptibility of developing chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, reduce the ability to fight infections and it can cause muscle atrophy, rapid aging, poor antibody production against vaccines and more. Modulating or keeping cortisol levels in balance through a healthy diet, nutritional supplements and stress reduction are keys to disease prevention.
Mother Nature’s cortisol balancer
Endurance athletes often are studied because the effects of excessive exercise mimic other stressful events. Excessive physical stress causes tissue damage and in response promotes the release of cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially Interleukin-6. DHEA and suppressed immunity also are seen in athletes that exercise to excess. Professor Patrick Bouic and his research team have shown that a plant nutrient called sterols and sterolins effectively modulates cortisol and controls Interleukin-6 and naturally increases DHEA. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine a group of 20 athletes were evaluated pre- and post-marathon run. Post-marathon results showed that the group treated with sterols and sterolins displayed a significant reduction in Interleukin-6 compared to the placebo group. A profound effect was observed in the balance between cortisol and DHEA levels in the sterol and sterolin-treated group. Cortisol increased as expected in the non-treatment group, causing immune suppression; it dropped in the group taking the sterols and sterolins. The cortisol decrease was accompanied by an increase in DHEA that was statistically significant.
Antioxidant nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, B6, B3 and selenium, zinc, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, essential fatty acids and an excellent diet rich in lean protein, complex carbohydrates with adequate amounts of organic fruits and vegetables should also be adopted to provide a powerful nutritional defense against the negative effects of stress. The mind and body is one unit, interrelated and highly complex. Though it may take a while for scientists to truly understand the intricacies of how stress affects immunity and the aging process, today we know that having a positive attitude, a loving family, friends and effective stress-coping strategies enhance our immune system and give us a few extra years.
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