Why Our Immune System Deteriorates

(From News-Medical.net). Scientists at the Oregon Health and Science University have proposed an explanation for the deterioration of the immune system with age. "Throughout our lives, we have a very diverse population of T cells in our bodies. However, late in life this T cell population becomes less diverse ... [one type of cell] can grow to become more than 80 percent of the total [T-cell] population. The accumulation of this one type of cell takes away valuable space from other cells, resulting in an immune system that is less diverse and thus less capable in effectively locating and eliminating pathogens." Assuming this research is validated, work can now start on methods of balancing the cell population to prevent age-related immune system decline.

Link: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=6606

Comments

Hello,

I use to work with a guy that was probably about 55 to 60 years old at the time. He thought that by donating blood as often as the red cross would let him, he would, in his words, "get rid of the old blood, so my body can make new blood". He thought this would help him remain healthy. I tried it, but was 30ish at the time, and I couldn't tell a difference. I discounted it, as being his imagination. I'm wondering now, if he might have been getting rid of some of his old T-cells, and his body would be producing more young cells. Do you think there is any validity in this?

Rob

Posted by: Rob Anderson at October 17th, 2011 12:58 PM
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