By Neil Stadford,
Project Weight Loss Editor - Diet
February 22, 2008So far, poor diet, chronic stress, and steroids were the known factors that may influence the body`s immune system. Recently, a hormone that controls appetite may influence the immune system, while certain natural steroids don`t, according to researchers at the Michigan State University.
Leptin, a hormone that is produced by fat cells and it`s responsible with the control of appetite and the production of certain blood cells can also enhance the functions of the immune system, according to researchers.
Until now, researchers knew that leptin controls appetite and how quick the body burns energy, but the study`s findings showed a brand new role for leptin, according to lead author Pamela Fraker. This means that many obese people can be somewhat immunosuppressed, said Fraker.
Although corticosteroids can reduce inflammation, a person who takes this type of steroids is more susceptible to steroids because they can inhibit the immune system. However, other researchers noticed that the corticosteroids that are naturally produced by the body don`t have the same influence on the immune system. The body produces corticosteroids when it`s under physical or psychological stress.
Pharmaceutical companies produce medicines based on corticosteroids for almost twenty years due to their well-known anti-inflammatory effects. However, people who take steroids are warned that injuries such as cuts or bruises are healing slower due to the corticosteroids` immunosuppressive effect.
The researchers at the MSU were the first noticed the difference between natural produced corticosteroids and their pharmacological versions and encourage the pharmaceutical companies to conduct future research on the process of synthesize of natural versions of steroid.
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