Fat people have many hidden worries! Study: Obesity may damage immunity

Obese people, please pay attention! In addition to the well-known metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the harm of obesity to human health is also found in research by National Cheng Kung University Hospital. It can also cause acquired immune dysfunction, making patients more susceptible to bacterial infection and affecting treatment outcomes. Doctors recommend that people who are overweight should consult a professional doctor and control their weight as soon as possible to reduce the risk of catching a cold or becoming seriously ill!

Among the top ten causes of death in China, the vast majority are related to obesity, which is one of the most serious public health problems in the world.

Obesity causes a lot of diseases! Decreased immunity may be the key

Among the top ten causes of death in China in 2014 announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, except for accidental injuries and chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, the others are directly or indirectly related to obesity, which has become one of the most serious public health problems in the world.

A study conducted by National Cheng Kung University Hospital and published in the International Journal of Obesity found that in addition to the well-known complications such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, obesity may also cause acquired immune dysfunction, leading to low immunity and increasing the patient's risk of infection.

Professor Xie Qichang, professor of pediatrics and director of the Clinical Medicine Research Center at National Cheng Kung University Hospital, said that this study compared the differences in the ability of white blood cells to produce cytokines between obese patients with abnormal metabolism and healthy subjects. The results showed that the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that can activate the immune system in obese patients was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects, while the production of inhibitory cytokines was significantly increased.

Professor Xie Qichang’s research team found that obesity may cause acquired immune dysfunction and increase the risk of infectious diseases. (Photo provided by National Cheng Kung University Hospital)

In addition, subsequent follow-up studies also found that the abnormal cytokine production in obese patients can be significantly improved after weight loss surgery.

Infection control is more difficult in acquired immunodeficiency

Professor Xie Qichang pointed out that immunodeficiency can be roughly divided into congenital and acquired immune deficiency. Acquired immune deficiency in China mainly comes from obesity and type 2 diabetes, which is highly correlated with obesity. Clinically, it has been found that diabetic patients are more susceptible to tuberculosis. When these patients are infected, their symptoms are more severe than those of general patients and treatment is relatively difficult.

Wu Zhixing, attending physician of the Department of Family Medicine at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital, said that clinical findings have also shown that obese patients respond poorly to certain vaccines, which may be related to the low immunity caused by obesity. It is recommended that obese patients develop a balanced and healthy eating habit and manage their weight, which can not only help them get rid of obesity but also help them have a sound immune system and enhance their resistance to infections.