Quote:The study results reveal an unfavourable trend towards a Westernized diet in the Middle East and, to a certain extent, in North Africa. Tailored nutritional education encouraging healthy eating for prevention of the burden of chronic diseases in these countries seems essential.

Quote:The Western diet is a modern dietary pattern characterized by high intakes of pre-packaged foods, refined grains, red meat, processed meat, high-sugar drinks, candy, sweets, fried foods, conventionally raised animal products, high-fat dairy products, and high-fructose products. The present review aims to describe the effect of the Western pattern diet on the metabolism, inflammation, and antioxidant status; the impact on gut microbiota and mitochondrial fitness; the effect of on cardiovascular health, mental health, and cancer; and the sanitary cost of the Western diet.

Quote:Researchers have long speculated that perceptions of attractiveness reflect preferences for traits historically linked to health and, ultimately, immune function (e.g. [6]). The results of the current research suggest that facial attractiveness may provide insights into one's immune function, particularly as it relates to one's ability to efficiently combat (primarily) bacterial threats. Additionally, for men, facial attractiveness may also provide cues to their ability to efficiently manage viral threats and neoplastic growth. Although future research is needed replicate these results, the current research suggests that a relationship between facial attractiveness and immune function is likely to exist.

Quote:With 70-80% of immune cells being present in the gut, there is an intricate interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the intestinal epithelial layer, and the local mucosal immune system. In addition to the local mucosal immune responses in the gut, it is increasingly recognized that the gut microbiome also affects systemic immunity. Clinicians are more and more using the increased knowledge about these complex interactions between the immune system, the gut microbiome, and human pathogens. The now well-recognized impact of nutrition on the composition of the gut microbiota and the immune system elucidates the role nutrition can play in improving health.

Quote:The immune system, in particular, has a very close relationship to the gut. “Most people don’t realise that 70 per cent of your immune system is actually centrally located within the wall of your intestine, and the systems are in such close proximity to one another that they are in direct communication. Yet there is just one layer of cells between them and that can easily be broken, which means toxins can come into contact with the immune system and trigger inflammation,” says Bulsiewicz.

Kinross explains it as “the gut being a sort of command and control centre of your whole immune system. This is all about your immunity and inflammation. Because if you’ve got the wrong type of bugs, you can’t regulate the inflammation, and that affects everything – how your brain works, how you think, how you feel, how your lungs work, your bladder, joints and bones – and that is because chronic inflammation is systemic, by which I mean it is throughout your whole body.”

Quote:Living in hot and humid climates, sweating excessively, or a weakened immune system allows the fungus to flourish, causing tinea versicolor.