Summary
Prof. Daniel Davis MBE joins ZOE Science & Nutrition to discuss threats to your immune system–and how to fight them | prof. daniel davis mbe. Key topics include immune system support through nutrition and lifestyle; nutritional strategies based on current research; performance optimization strategies backed by science.
Key Points
- Immune system support through nutrition and lifestyle
- Nutritional strategies based on current research
- Performance optimization strategies backed by science
Key Moments
Every cell in your body is part of your immune system
Prof. Daniel Davis explains that almost every cell in the human body has an inbuilt sensory mechanism to detect when it is infected with a virus or turning cancerous, meaning the immune system extends far beyond just white blood cells.
"every single cell of you is part of your immune system because almost all the different types of cells that make up the human body actually have some ability to know when they are infected with a virus, for example, or when they are turning cancerous."
Why immune boosting supplements may not actually help
The episode questions whether supplements claiming to boost the immune system actually work, and whether boosting your immune system is even a good idea, given that an overactive immune response causes its own set of serious problems.
"Walk into any store, and you'll see rows of supplements claiming to boost your immune system. We all want to avoid being sick during the winter months, so these products can seem tempting. We do any of them really work, and it's trying to boost your immune system really a good idea."
The immune system must attack threats without attacking your own body
Prof. Davis highlights that the most critical challenge for the immune system is distinguishing between foreign threats and healthy tissue, and that autoimmune diseases arise when this discrimination fails.
"you will know that there are any number of product and ideas telling"
