The link between obesity and a compromised immune system

Studies show that obesity is linked to an impaired or compromised immune system.

The increase of adipose tissue (fat stores) in the body causes inflammatory mediators such as cytokines to be released. These cytokine messengers act on blood vessels and/or cells. Their primary function is to help regulate inflammation and therefore, they also play a vital role in turning on and regulating your immune response.

It would be easy to assume that having your immune system permanently switched on would be a good thing, however this is not the case. Ongoing chronic inflammation and an immune system that is constantly switched on causes it to become compromised, or essentially, overloaded and fatigued.

Long term, a compromised immune system will leave you susceptible to becoming unwell and it is not just the latest cold or flu that you need to be concerned about. Your body’s ability to fight off conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and infections such as COVID is compromised, leaving you vulnerable to serious illness.

Studies have also shown that people with a compromised immune system tend to have more severe symptoms, are at a higher risk of infection and take longer to recover.

The good news however, is that this is reversable. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight will make a significant difference to your bodies inflammatory response and help to improve the function of your immune system.

A simple way to help shed some extra kilos is to focus on regularly eating small healthy meals that include all the food groups and to prioritise protein with each meal. Incorporating some form of exercise 3-4 times a week will not only assist with losing some weight, but will also improve your general wellbeing.

Having a balanced diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight all help to forge a strong and healthy immune system and ultimately allow us to lead a long and healthy life.