Immunity is an extremely important factor for the development of our health, after all, it is through this system that we will protect ourselves from viruses and infections. However, research indicates that human beings, especially women, suffer a constant loss of immune capacity.
However, American scientists from the University of California found a possible way to increase immunity of elderly.
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Before understanding the proposed intervention to increase immunity, it is necessary to understand what T cells are. These would be the cells responsible for a large part of our system's immune defense, which has a natural tendency to decline over the years.
According to the scientists, this is due to the fact that these cells gain chains of complex carbohydrates with branches, the glycans, over time. Thus, this alteration would suppress the immunizing effect of the cells, which would result in greater frailty in the elderly.
In addition, this factor would also result in greater resistance of the elderly against immunizing vaccines, thus also contributing to the increase in threats. Therefore, scientists propose to prevent the development of these branches to preserve immunity longer.
Until then, all experiments were still carried out in laboratory rats, but it is possible to draw parallels with human biological reality. In this case, the researchers present the possibility of performing immune system recovery therapies based on specific medications. Thus, it would be possible to promote a healthier old age and without so much vulnerability to viral diseases.
Not to mention that the extra protection would also be able to prevent some bacterial infections that are serious for this stage of life. For example, Salmonella, a disease that comes from eating spoiled food, could also be less violent in these patients. Therefore, the studies will have to continue until it is possible to develop and prove efficient strategies that avoid the degradation of our immune system.