147 | id == 147
147 | category_id == 17
147 | category_order == 14
147 | category_name == Respiratory Health
147 | category_color == #C47AC0
147 | slug == IL13-ARDS-lung-inflammation
147 | title == Can This Gene Protect You From Lung Failure? (IL13)
147 | meta_description == IL13 codes for an anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-13. Click to discover the link between this gene and acute lung failure.
147 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The IL13 gene codes for interleukin 13, an anti-inflammatory cytokine with conflicting effects on respiratory function. Can this gene protect you from lung failure&mdash;and at what price? Read on to find out.</strong></p>
147 | overall_score_text == Your Acute Lung Failure Score (based on IL13)
147 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/IL13--ARDS.jpg
147 | author_id == 9
147 | author_name == Aleksa Ristic
147 | author_title == MS (Pharmacy)
147 | author_order == 45
147 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Aleksa.jpg
147 | author_intro == <p><strong>Aleksa received his MS in Pharmacy from the University of Belgrade, his master thesis focusing on protein sources in plant-based diets.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>    <p>Aleksa is passionate about herbal pharmacy, nutrition, and functional medicine. He found a way to merge his two biggest passions&mdash;writing and health&mdash;and use them for noble purposes. His mission is to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, helping readers improve their health and feel better.</p>
147 | reviewer == None
147 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
147 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
147 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
147 | publish_date == 2020
147 | publish_date == 4
147 | publish_date == 13
147 | avg_rating == 5.0
147 | tags_id == 348
147 | tags_name == ARDS
147 | tags_id == 347
147 | tags_name == Cytokine Storm
147 | tags_id == 207
147 | tags_name == Exercise
147 | tags_id == 367
147 | tags_name == IL-13
147 | tags_id == 366
147 | tags_name == IL13 gene
147 | tags_id == 24
147 | tags_name == Inflammation
147 | tags_id == 290
147 | tags_name == Mediterranean diet
147 | tags_id == 350
147 | tags_name == Respiratory Health
147 | tags_id == 232
147 | tags_name == Vitamin D
147 | tags_id == 341
147 | tags_name == Zinc
147 | permissions_favorite == False
147 | permissions_rate == False
147 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. If you suspect you may have any kind of infection, seek medical help immediately. </span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep in mind that these results are based on association studies, which are correlative and aren&rsquo;t necessarily causative. In addition, any genetic variant will typically contribute only a small proportion to the overall risk of the condition, and non-genetic factors play a large role in developing a condition as well. Therefore, just because you have one of these genotypes does not necessarily mean you are at an increased risk of developing this condition!</span></em></p> <h2><strong>IL13 and Airway Inflammation</strong></h2> <h3><strong>Introduction</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="http://www.selfdecode.com/gene/IL13/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL13</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene codes for interleukin 13 (IL-13), a cytokine that belongs to type 2 or &ldquo;humoral&rdquo; immunity. Along with IL-4, it fights pathogens and other outside threats that don&rsquo;t enter our cells but stay in the fluids (humor=fluid). IL-13 and IL-4 have similar roles and health effects [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23298208/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8096327"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Type 2 immunity, driven by the </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/supplements-people-th2-dominant/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Th2</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> cells, is often regarded as anti-inflammatory, but it can also trigger inflammation under specific conditions. It&rsquo;s responsible for allergic reactions and the rejection of foreign bodies, including transplants [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3496776/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC27457/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the one hand, IL-13 can prevent excessive inflammation in response to microbial infections. On the other, it plays a crucial role in allergic asthma and airway hypersensitivity, which are Th2-dominant conditions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10768926/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9521071/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15164448/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-13 and IL-4 also enable robust defense against worms and other parasitic infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15361238"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14755075"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">IL-13 is a cytokine that can prevent excessive inflammation but also trigger allergic reactions.</span></p> <h3><strong>ARDS</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a sudden lung failure caused by blood poisoning (sepsis), severe pneumonia, or other critical conditions. Most ARDS patients require urgent supportive care in the intensive care unit (ICU) to avoid a fatal outcome [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28157386/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26759013/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24584519/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Uncontrolled inflammation caused by excessive cytokine release is the hallmark of ARDS. The stimulation of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/how-to-increase-and-decrease-white-blood-cells/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">white blood cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can cause a so-called cytokine storm and do more damage than the infection itself [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26757701/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26895644/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27381687"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4176007/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32192578"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">ARDS is a severe, often fatal complication of blood poisoning or respiratory diseases. It occurs due to the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.</span></p> <h3><strong>The Protective Role of IL-13</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The battle between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines can determine ARDS occurrence and severity. The anti-inflammatory effects of IL-13 may prevent lung injury in critically ill patients [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9590307/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to preliminary research, some ARDS patients may have lower IL-13 levels and thus lack the protective effects. However, there&rsquo;s conflicting evidence about the role of this cytokine in ARDS, calling for further investigation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449781/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12490119"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2><strong>The Link Between IL13 Variant and ARDS</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Russian study of 430 patients found a link between one IL13 variant and ARDS. Critically ill patients with the &ldquo;A&rdquo; allele at </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/snp/rs20541/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rs20541</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> had nearly a two times lower likelihood of developing ARDS [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449781/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the same allele has a robust link with allergic tendencies, asthma, and chronic lung disease (COPD), which are Th2-dominant conditions [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2824608/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19796199"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17313976/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This variant is an example of complex genetic factors that can be both positive and negative, depending on the circumstances. In summary, it may play a role in allergic respiratory complications but also protect against acute lung failure.</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">One IL13 variant, rs20541-A, is associated with lower rates of acute lung failure but may play a role in allergic reactions.</span></p> <h3><strong>How It Works</strong></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The &ldquo;A&rdquo; allele at rs20541 is associated with higher IL-13 activity. More precisely, the other allele (G) changes one amino acid in the IL-13 structure, reducing its ability to activate receptors [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449781/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15711639/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10699178/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Higher IL-13 levels and activity help prevent excessive inflammation in response to infections, which is the culprit behind ARDS. On the other hand, this may be a downside for people prone to respiratory allergies, given the role of IL-13 in airway hypersensitivity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449781/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9521071/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15164448/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The &ldquo;A&rdquo; allele at rs20541 increases IL-13 activity, which may help prevent excessive inflammation.</span></p> <h2><strong>Your IL13 Results for Lung Failure</strong></h2> <p>*3776285432878719*</p> <h3><strong>SNP Summary and Table</strong></h3> <p><strong>Primary SNP:</strong></p> <p><strong>IL13 </strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/blog/snp/rs20541/"><strong>rs20541</strong></a></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = associated with lower rates of acute lung failure</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = associated with higher rates of acute lung failure, compared with the &ldquo;A&rdquo; allele</span></li> </ul> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Population Frequency</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">: Among the general population and European descendants, 30% of people carry one and 5% carry both copies of the &ldquo;A&rdquo; allele. It&rsquo;s more common in East Asian populations, where 50% of people have one and 11% both copies.</span></p> <p>*8246148730149472*</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations to Support Immunity and Lung Health</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes. It&rsquo;s important to remember that increased IL-13 levels may not always be a good thing, especially for people prone to respiratory allergies.</span></em></p> <p>*1687026872646690*</p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Avoid Air Pollution</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Particulate matter from industrialized and high-traffic areas inhibits anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19159656"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The risk and severity of respiratory tract infections increase in people exposed to airway irritants, such as:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Air pollution [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4758189/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18005896"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dust [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20935289"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fumes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23489343"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple studies have associated long-term exposure to high air pollution levels with increased chances of developing ARDS and dying from it [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29706622"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30926395"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683074/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To maintain good respiratory health, try to spend more time in traffic- and industry-free, natural environments.</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Air pollution from particulate matter, dust, and fumes can inhibit IL-13 and contribute to respiratory infections and ARDS.</span></p> <h4><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Short bouts of intense </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can increase anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-13 in the long run [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31369392"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31401675"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exercise and physical fitness improve the immune response and help fight off respiratory infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12165677"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20581713"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21041243"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, for robust immunity, it's important not to push too hard; periods of intense physical training may contribute to windows of lower resistance and predispose to upper respiratory tract infections [</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1320353/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In simple terms, getting and staying fit but not overtaxing yourself could help prevent infections [</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254618301005"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Exercise in moderation can boost IL-13 and help prevent respiratory infections.</span></p> <h4><strong>Sunlight</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moderate </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/avoiding-sun-will-kill-14-proven-science-based-health-benefits-sun/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sun</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> exposure is the primary source of </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/35proven-health-benefits-vitamin-d-part-1/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">vitamin D</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which may stimulate type 2 immunity and thus increase IL-13 levels. However, it&rsquo;s immune-modulating effects are complex and depend on various factors [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16159643"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11080724"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425186/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21323660/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin D plays a critical role in the immune system, and its deficiency may increase the risk of developing several types of bacterial and viral infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855046/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30614127"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30614127"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of ARDS in 2 studies on 215 hospitalized people but not in another one on 478 critically ill patients [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4484044/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6234412/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3944729/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">By supplying vitamin D, moderate sun exposure may increase IL-13 levels and help prevent respiratory infections.</span></p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Mediterranean Diet</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mediterranean diet is famous for its anti-inflammatory and health-promoting effects. In a trial of 66 volunteers, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/olive-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> increased IL-13 and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/il-10/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-10</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412172/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clinical trials have found that eating a Mediterranean diet protected immune function in people with chronic inflammatory diseases and improved lung function in smokers [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4443792/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6881294/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil, with moderate intakes of fish, chicken, and meat.</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The Mediterranean diet can suppress inflammation, improve lung function, and reduce the risk factors for respiratory infections.</span></p> <h4><strong>Avoid Zinc Deficiency</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In preclinical research, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/literally-everything-wanted-know-zinc-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">zinc</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> deficiency caused a drop in IL-4 and IL-13 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6418430/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3407988/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc is crucial for good immune defense. Even a mild deficiency can impair immune function and increase the risk of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections [</span><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmv.25707"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2200472"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In malnourished infants and children, zinc administration reduced the duration, severity, and incidence of respiratory infections [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9651405"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660402"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26203094"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc may help improve health outcomes in severe forms of pneumonia. Zinc deficiency, which is common in older people, reduces immune defense and increases the risk of </span><a href="https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/walking-pneumonia/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">walking pneumonia</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and other respiratory infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2854541/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20631326"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22856593"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23636236"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study of 116 people, those who developed ARDS had lower blood zinc levels than both people in the ICU who didn&rsquo;t develop this complication and healthy volunteers. The same study found that zinc deficiency stimulated the development of lung injuries due to mechanical ventilation in mice [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5453708/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc-rich foods include seafood (especially oysters), beef, pork, beans, and pumpkin seeds [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Zinc is crucial for a robust immune response. A deficiency can lower IL-13 and increase the risk of respiratory infections.</span></p> <h4><strong>Avoid Iron Deficiency</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to preliminary research, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/iron-balance-blood-test-iron-deficiency-anemia-overload/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">iron</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> favors type 2 immunity and the production of anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22348459"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12846752"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11886435/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A study of over 6,000 children and their mothers associated iron deficiency during pregnancy with a reduced lung function in the offspring [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5890059/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similarly, anemia was associated with an increased incidence of respiratory infections in 2 studies of 500 children [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6421482/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718651/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one trial on 22 women, iron deficiency was more common in women with chronic cough. Iron supplementation improved the symptoms [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23067033"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Red meat and liver are good sources of iron. Other iron-rich foods include fish, seafood, pulses, and green leafy vegetables. You can increase iron absorption from plant sources by combining them with large amounts of vitamin C [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1581009"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6940487"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Avoid iron deficiency to maintain optimal levels of IL-13 and prevent respiratory infections.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Zinc</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc supplementation may cut the duration of respiratory infections in adults. Zinc gluconate or zinc acetate supplements with 9-24 mg of elemental zinc per dose have shown the best results when initiated within the first 24 hours [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5418896/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23775705"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3394849/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p>If you can&rsquo;t obtain enough zinc from a balanced diet, consider taking a supplement.</p>
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147 | content_learn_more_8246148730149472_text == Based on the variant we looked at, your IL13 gene is associated with slightly lower rates of acute lung failure (ARDS). However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of ARDS, just one gene related to it. You have a moderately protective effect, but you may still want to maintain proper immunity and lung function. Keep reading for more details.
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rsIDs = rs20541
rsStatus = rs20541,IL13,chr5,132660272,A,C,G,T,25,0,Normal
