[Regnum] Excess sugar, salt, and saturated fat in the diet can weaken the immune system and trigger inflammatory processes in the body. This was stated by physician Viktor Lishin in an interview with Regnum News Agency on Sunday, September 13.
According to him, these substances themselves participate in vital processes and serve as a kind of fuel for the cells of the immune system, activating energy processes in the body.
When energy and building material are being produced, the consumption of these substances, especially glucose, increases several times, and some cells of the immune system even compete with each other for it.
“In simple terms, the more glucose, the more energy,” the doctor explained.
However, the specialist added, when there is an excess of glucose, the body can no longer cope with its proper distribution, and then the substance begins to act harmfully.
"It will begin to enter various parts of our body, organs, and affect them in undesirable ways. It can even be compared to bad cholesterol," the therapist noted.
The expert pointed out that excess glucose impairs the body's defenses as a whole. He explained that immune cells suffer from it just like any other cells and begin to function less effectively. This triggers inflammation—a process the doctor described as one of the most unpleasant in the body, as it is associated with virtually all diseases.
"There's a double whammy here: on the one hand, low levels of glucose, salt, and other fatty acids are bad, but on the other hand, too much of them also negatively impacts the body and provokes inflammation and disrupts the functioning of internal organs at the cellular level," Lishin concluded.
The doctor emphasized that this isn't a recommendation to completely eliminate sugar, salt, and fat. Moderation and an overall balanced diet are key.
Previously, in a conversation with Regnum News Agency, general practitioner Andrei Kondrakhin recommended adding more vegetables, fruits, citrus fruits, onions, and garlic to one's diet to combat the autumn blues. Peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, zucchini, and pumpkin are also available during the season.