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Infections | | Description |
Also known as: Bacterial Infection.
Infection is the result of
invasion of the body by microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, or
fungi. Not all microorganisms cause infections in the body, and exposure
to a disease-causing microorganism does not always result in symptoms. The
immune system plays a large role in determining the body's ability to
fight off infection.
Some examples of infection are common
cold/sore throat, influenza, cough, recurrent ear infections, urinary
tract infection, yeast infection, athlete's foot, cold sores, HIV,
shingles, and parasites.
What are the symptoms of infection?
Symptoms of infection include localized warmth, redness, swelling,
discharge, foul-smelling odor, and pain to the touch. In more serious
cases, symptoms may also include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and fatigue.
Conventional treatment options: Conventional
treatment includes the use of local, oral, and intravenous antibiotic
medicines, such as absorbable beta-lactams, cephalosporins, lincosamides,
macrolides, penicillins, and sulfonamides. In some cases, surgical
treatment is also recommended to remove diseased tissue, prevent the
spread of infection, or drain pus from an infected area.
Dietary
changes that may be helpful: Nutrition is a major contributor to the
functioning of the immune system, which in turn influences whether or not
the body is resistant to infection. Specifically, it makes sense to
restrict sugar, because sugar interferes with the ability of white blood
cells to destroy bacteria.1 Alcohol also interferes with a wide variety of
immune defenses,2 and excessive dietary fat reduces natural killer cell
activity.3 However, there is no research investigating whether reducing
sugar, alcohol, or fat intake decreases the risk of infection or improves
healing.
Allergy, including food allergy has been suggested to
predispose people to recurrent infection,4 and many doctors consider
allergy treatment for people with recurrent infections. The links between
allergy and ear infections,5 6 urinary tract infections in children,7 and
yeast vaginitis in women8 9 have been documented.
Lifestyle changes
that may be helpful: Stress can depress the immune system, thus increasing
the body's susceptibility to infection. Coping effectively with stress is
important.10 Exercise increases natural killer cell activity, which may
also help prevent infections.11
Nutritional supplements that may be
helpful: Nutrients useful for maintaining healthy immune function are also
applicable for preventing infections. Vitamin A plays an important role in
immune system function and helps mucous membranes, including those in the
lungs, resist invasion by microorganisms.12 However, most research shows
that while vitamin A supplementation helps people prevent or treat
infections in developing countries where deficiencies are common,13 little
to no positive effect, and even slight adverse effects, have resulted from
giving vitamin A supplements to people in countries where most people
consume adequate amounts of vitamin A.14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Moreover,
vitamin A supplementation during infections appears beneficial only in
certain diseases. An analysis of trials revealed that vitamin A reduces
mortality from measles and diarrhea, but not from pneumonia, in children
living in developing countries.21 A double-blind trial for vitamin A
supplementation in Tanzanian children with pneumonia confirmed its lack of
effectiveness for this condition.22 In general, parents in the developed
world should not give vitamin A supplements to children unless there is a
reason to believe vitamin A deficiency is likely, such as the presence of
a condition causing malabsorption (e.g., celiac disease). However, the
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children with measles
should be given high-dose vitamin A for several days.
Vitamin C has
antiviral activity, and may help prevent viral infections23 or, in the
case of the common cold, reduce the severity and duration of an
infection.24 Most studies on the common cold used 1 to 4 grams of vitamin
C per day.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (the friendly bacteria found
in yogurt) produces acids that kill invading bacteria.25 The effective
amount of acidophilus depends on the strain used, as well as the
concentration of viable organisms. These and other friendly bacteria known
as probiotics inhibit the growth of potentially infectious organisms
(pathogens) by producing acids, hydrogen peroxide, and natural antibiotics
called bacteriocins and microcins, by utilizing nutrients needed by
pathogens, by occupying attachment sites on the gut wall that would
otherwise be available to pathogens, and by stimulating immune attacks on
pathogens. Infections that have been successfully prevented or treated
with friendly bacteria include infectious diarrhea, vaginitis, and urinary
tract infections.26
Marginal deficiencies of zinc result in
impairments of immune function.27 Supplementation with 50 mg of zinc three
times per day for 30 days has been shown to increase immune function in
healthy people.28 However, such large amounts of zinc can potentially
cause adverse effects. Some doctors recommend lower amounts of
supplemental zinc for people experiencing recurrent infections, such as 25
mg per day for adults and even lower amounts for children (depending on
body weight). Zinc lozenges have been found helpful in some studies for
the common cold. Zinc has not been studied as prevention or treatment for
other types of infection.
A multiple vitamin-mineral formula helped
elderly people avoid infections in one double blind trial, but not in
another.29 30 In one double-blind trial, supplements of 100 mcg per day of
selenium and 20 mg per day of zinc, with or without additional vitamin C,
vitamin E, and beta-carotene, reduced infections in elderly people, though
vitamins without minerals had no effect.31 These results suggest that
trace minerals may be the most important micronutrients for preventing
infections in the elderly.
Premature infants with very low birth
weight have an increased susceptibility to infections. In a double-blind
trial, premature infants were given either selenium supplements (5-7 mcg
per 2.2 pounds of body weight) or placebo. Those receiving the selenium
supplements had fewer hospital-acquired infections.32
Athletes who
undergo intensive training or participate in endurance races (such as a
marathon) are at increased risk of developing infections. In a
double-blind study, marathon runners received either glutamine (5 grams
immediately after the race and 5 grams again two hours later) or a
placebo. Compared with the placebo, supplementation with L-glutamine
reduced the incidence of infections over the next seven days by
62%.33
Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the
individual supplement for information about any side effects or
interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful: The main herbs for
infection can be broken down into three basic categories: those that
support a person's immune system in the fight against microbes, those that
directly attack microbes, and those that do both. These categories are
summarized in the table below. Note that this table does not include herbs
that are largely used for parasitic infections of the
intestines.
Immune supportive
American ginseng,
andrographis, Asian ginseng, astragalus, coriolus, eleuthero, ligustrum,
maitake, picrorhiza, reishi, schisandra,
shiitake
Antimicrobial
Chaparral, eucalyptus, garlic,
green tea, lemon balm (antiviral), lomatium, myrrh, olive leaf, onion,
oregano, pau d'arco (antifungal), rosemary, sage, sandalwood, St. John's
wort, tea tree oil, thyme, usnea
Both immune supportive and
antimicrobial
Barberry, echinacea, elderberry, goldenseal,
licorice, Oregon grape, osha, wild indigo
Are there any side
effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information
about any side effects or
interactions.
References:
1. Sanchez A, Reeser JL,
Lau HS, et al. Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. Am J
Clin Nutr 1973;26:1180-4.
2. Ahmed FE. Toxicological effects of
ethanol on human health. Crit Rev Toxicol 1995;25:347-67.
3. Kubena
KS, McMurray DN. Nutrition and the immune system: A review of
nutrient-nutrient interactions. J Am Diet Assoc 1996;96:1156-64.
4.
Horesh AJ. Allergy and infection VII. Support from the literature. J
Asthma Res 1968;6:3-55 [review].
5. Pang LQ. The importance of
allergy in otolaryngology. Clin Ecology 1982;1:53.
6. Nsouli TM,
Nsouli SM, Linde RE, et al. Role of food allergy in serous otitis media.
Ann Allergy 1994;73:215-9.
7. Horesh AJ. Allergy and recurrent
urinary tract infections in childhood. II. Ann Allergy
1976;36:174-9.
8. Crandall, M. Allergic predisposition and
recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. J Advancement Med 1991;4:21-38
[review].
9. Kudelco N. Allergy in chronic monilial vaginitis. Ann
Allergy 1971;29:266-7.
10. McIntosh WA, Kaplan HB, Kubena KS, et
al. Life events, social support, and immune responses in elderly
individuals. Int J Aging Hum Dev 1993;37:23-36.
11. Nieman DC.
Exercise, upper respiratory tract infection, and the immune system. Med
Sci Sports Med 1994;26(2):128-39.
12. Semba RD. Vitamin A,
immunity, and infection. Clin Infect Dis 1994;19:489-99
[review].
13. Glasziou PP, Mackerras DEM. Vitamin A supplementation
in infectious diseases: a meta-analysis. BMJ 1993;306:366-70.
14.
Stephensen CB, Franchi LM, Hernandez H, et al. Adverse effects of
high-dose vitamin A supplements in children hospitalized with pneumonia.
Pediatrics 1998;101(5):E3 [abstract].
15. Bresee JS, Fischer M,
Dowell SF, et al. Vitamin A therapy for children with respiratory
syncytial virus infection: a multicenter trial in the United States.
Pediatr Infect Dis J 1996;15:777-82.
16. Quinlan KP, Hayani KC.
Vitamin A and respiratory syncytial virus infection. Serum levels and
supplementation trial. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1996;150:25-30.
17.
Kjolhede CL, Chew FJ, Gadomski AM, et al. Clinical trial of vitamin A as
adjuvant treatment for lower respiratory tract infections. J Pediatr
1995;126:807-12.
18. Pinnock CB, Douglas RM, Badcock NR. Vitamin A
status in children who are prone to respiratory tract infections. Aust
Paediatr J 1986;22:95-9.
19. Murphy S, West KP Jr, Greenough WB 3d,
et al. Impact of vitamin A supplementation on the incidence of infection
in elderly nursing-home residents: a randomized controlled trial. Age
Ageing 1992;21:435-9.
20. Fawzi WW, Mbise R, Spiegelman D, et al.
Vitamin A supplements and diarrheal and respiratory tract infections among
children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. J Pediatr 2000;137:660-7.
21.
Ross AC. Vitamin A supplementation as therapy-are the benefits disease
specific? Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:8-9 [review].
22. Fawzi WW, Mbise
RL, Fataki MR, et al. Vitamin A supplementation and severity of pneumonia
in children admitted to the hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Am J Clin
Nutr 1998;68:187-92.
23. Geber WF, Lefkowitz SS, Hung CY. Effect of
ascorbic acid, sodium salicylate, and caffeine on the serum interferon
level in response to viral infection. Pharmacology
1975;13:228-33.
24. Hemila H. Vitamin C and the common cold. Br J
Nutr 1992;67:3-16.
25. Fernandes CF, Shahani KM, Amer MA.
Therapeutic role of dietary lactobacilli and lactobacillic fermented dairy
products. FEMS Micro Rev 1987;343-56.
26. Mombelli B, Gismondo MR.
The use of probiotics in medical practice. Int J Animicrob Agents
2000;16:531-6 [review].
27. Fraker PJ, Gershwin ME, Good RA, Prasad
A. Interrelationships between zinc and immune function. Fed Proc
1986;45:1474-9.
28. Duchateau J, Delespesse G, Vereecke P.
Influence of oral zinc supplementation on the lymphocyte response to
mitogens of normal subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 1981;34:88-93.
29.
Chandra RK. Effect of vitamin and trace-element supplementation on immune
responses and infection in elderly subjects. Lancet
1992;340:1124-7.
30. Chavance M, Herbeth B, Lemoine A, et al. Does
multivitamin supplementation prevent infections in healthy elderly
subjects? A controlled trial.Int.J Vitam Nutr Res 1993;63:11-6.
31.
Girodon F, Lombard M, Galan P, et al. Effect of micronutrient
supplementation on infection in institutionalized elderly subjects: a
controlled trial. Ann Nutr Metab 1997;41:98-107.
32. Darlow BA,
Winterbourn CC, Inder TE, et al. The effect of selenium supplementation on
outcome in very low birth weight infants: a randomized controlled trial.
The New Zealand Neonatal Study Group. J Pediatr
2000;136:473-80.
33. Castell LM, Newsholme EA. The effects of oral
glutamine supplementation on athletes after prolonged, exhaustive
exercise. Nutrition 1997;13:738-42.
Source: NOW Foods
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May We Recommend...
A Selection of Products that may be useful for Infections.
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