Re: Running in marathons impairs immunity

Once upon a time, our fellow John 'the Man'
   rambled on about "Running in marathons impairs immunity."
Our champion De-Medicalizing in sci.med.nutrition retorts, thusly ...

The original post citing the 10 studies.  :)

Nieman DC  has published to date at least 113 research studies.  At
least 80 of these studies were related to exercise.  And, of these 39
were related to impaired immunity caused by exercise.

-------- Study #1
I found the full text of one of his studies available online for FREE
at:  http://jap.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/82/5/1385

The evidence is undeniable.  :)

While carbohydrate consumption was found to attenuate the effect,
carbs were never shown to be an antidote.  The impairment in immunity
is still there and is still significant.  :)

Just thought that you might want to know. :)

-------- Study #2
"Overall, the hormonal and immune responses to carbohydrate compared
to placebo ingestion during intensive exercise suggest that
physiologic stress and inflammation are diminished, although clinical
significance awaits further research."
Nieman DC. Related Articles, Links  
Exercise immunology: nutritional countermeasures.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11897882&dopt=Abstract
Can J Appl Physiol. 2001;26 Suppl:S45-55. Review. 
PMID: 11897882 

-------- Study #3
"Heavy exertion has acute and chronic influences on systemic immunity.
...  most exercise immunologists believe that during this 'open
window' of impaired immunity (which may last between 3 and 72 h,
depending on the immune measure) viruses and bacteria may gain a
foothold, increasing the risk of subclinical and clinical infection.
The infection risk may be amplified when other factors related to
immune function are present, including exposure to novel pathogens
during travel, lack of sleep, severe mental stress, malnutrition or
weight loss."
Nieman DC. 
Special feature for the Olympics: effects of exercise on the immune
system: exercise effects on systemic immunity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11050532&dopt=Abstract
Immunol Cell Biol. 2000 Oct;78(5):496-501. Review. 
PMID: 11050532 

-------- Study #4
"Anecdotal, survey, and epidemiological data suggest that endurance
athletes are at an increased risk for upper respiratory tract
infection (URTI) during periods of heavy training and the 1 - to 2-wk
period after race events."
Nieman DC. 
Is infection risk linked to exercise workload?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10910297&dopt=Abstract
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000 Jul;32(7 Suppl):S406-11. Review. 
PMID: 10910297  

-------- Study #5
"cthe moderate rise in blood neutrophil counts, but had slight or no
effects on other immune parameters."
Henson DA, Nieman DC, Blodgett AD,.
Influence of exercise mode and carbohydrate on the immune response to
prolonged exercise.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10428573&dopt=Abstract
Int J Sport Nutr. 1999 Jun;9(2):213-28. 
PMID: 10428573 

-------- Study #6
"The data demonstrate that leg squat exercise to muscular failure
results in a very similar immune response to that associated with
intense endurance exercise, despite a lower mean oxygen consumption
and only a moderate hormonal response."
Nieman DC, Henson DA, Sampson CS.
The acute immune response to exhaustive resistance exercise.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7558530&dopt=Abstract
Int J Sports Med. 1995 Jul;16(5):322-8. 
PMID: 7558530  

-------- Study #7
"published data at this time support a "J" curve relationship between
risk of URTI and increasing exercise workloads. For example,
individuals exercising moderately may lower their risk of URTI while
those undergoing heavy exercise regimens may have higher than normal
risk. "
Nieman DC.   
Exercise, infection, and immunity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7883395&dopt=Abstract
Int J Sports Med. 1994 Oct;15 Suppl 3:S131-41. Review. 
PMID: 7883395 

-------- Study #8, #9, #10
Look them up yourself.  There are plenty to chose from. :)
--
John Gohde,
     Achieving good Health is an Art, NOT a Science!

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