161 | id == 161
161 | category_id == 17
161 | category_order == 14
161 | category_name == Respiratory Health
161 | category_color == #C47AC0
161 | slug == IL2-Respiratory-Infections
161 | title == Can This Gene Protect Against Respiratory Infections? (IL2)
161 | meta_description == A variant in IL2 may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Read on to learn more.
161 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Can genetics make you more susceptible to respiratory infections? Studies of IL2 suggest so. How does an IL2 variant affect your immune response? Read on to learn more.</strong></p>
161 | overall_score_text == Your overall score for respiratory infections (based on IL2 gene)
161 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/IL2--Respiratory-Tract-Infections-not-axiom.jpg
161 | author_id == 10
161 | author_name == Biljana Novkovic
161 | author_title == PhD
161 | author_order == 50
161 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Biljana.jpg
161 | author_intro == <p><strong>Biljana received her PhD in Ecological Genetics from Hokkaido University.</strong></p>    <p>Before joining SelfHacked, she was a research scientist with extensive field and laboratory experience. She spent 4 years reviewing the scientific literature on supplements, lab tests and other areas of health sciences. She is passionate about releasing the most accurate science &amp; health information available on topics, and she&#39;s meticulous when writing and reviewing articles to make sure the science is sound. She believes that SelfHacked has the best science that is also layperson-friendly on the web.</p>
161 | reviewer == None
161 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
161 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
161 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
161 | publish_date == 2020
161 | publish_date == 4
161 | publish_date == 18
161 | avg_rating == 4.8
161 | tags_id == 393
161 | tags_name == IL-2
161 | tags_id == 392
161 | tags_name == IL2 gene
161 | tags_id == 350
161 | tags_name == Respiratory Health
161 | tags_id == 336
161 | tags_name == Respiratory Infection
161 | permissions_favorite == False
161 | permissions_rate == False
161 | 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 one 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 increased risk of developing this condition!</span></em></p> <h2><strong>What is <em>IL2</em>?</strong></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL2</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a gene that encodes interleukin 2 (IL-2), which is a type of cytokine. Cytokines are signaling molecules of the immune system. IL-2, in particular, plays many important and seemingly opposing roles in the immune system.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On one hand, IL-2 boosts the immune response and helps fight infections by increasing the production of memory T cells. Memory T cells remember particular microbes and help the immune system mount a faster and stronger response when exposed to these microbes again. In addition, IL-2 also promotes the action of NK (natural killer) cells, which destroy cells that have been infected by viruses [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980618"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473953/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28948612"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the other hand, IL-2 is also important for subduing the immune response to prevent autoimmunity.&nbsp; Scientists found that animals which lack IL-2 develop serious autoimmune diseases. They also found that IL-2 does this by increasing Tregs (regulatory T cells) and decreasing the production of highly inflammatory Th17 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29980618"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15473953/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6100298/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">IL-2 is a signaling molecule that helps balance the immune system. It can both boost the immune system to help the body fight off infections, or help subdue the immune system to prevent autoimmunity and excessive inflammation.</span></p> <h2><strong><em>IL2</em> and Respiratory Infections</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One US study looked into the DNA of 500 people in nursing homes. They found that those who had the 'CC' genotype of rs2069762, a SNP in IL-2, had a lower incidence of respiratory infections and common colds compared with people who had 'AA' or 'AC' genotypes [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2884322/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In another smaller German study, people with the 'AC' genotype had a higher incidence of self-reported common colds than did subjects with either 'AA' or the 'CC' genotype [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11354638/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it's important to note that the opposite has been found for tuberculosis. Two meta-analyses suggest that the 'AA' genotype may be protective against tuberculosis in Asians, but not in Whites [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31669382"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31906759"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">One variant in the IL-2 gene has been associated with a lower risk of getting upper respiratory infections and common cold. However, this variant has been linked to a higher risk of developing tuberculosis.</span></p> <h2><strong>How This Works</strong></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How does having an 'A' or 'C' allele of rs2069762 affect a person's immune system?&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One hint comes from a Danish study of 235 families. They found that the 'A' allele was more common in people with allergies, suggesting that this allele may skew the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th2 (a skewed immune response commonly seen in allergies) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333313"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Firstly, IL-2 is considered a </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/supplements-people-th1-dominant/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Th1 cytokine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Therefore, it's possible that the 'A' allele decreases IL-2 production and thereby shifts the Th1/Th2-balance towards Th2 [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333313"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We also know that Th1 immune response and IL-2 are important for fighting viruses [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12946237/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28948612"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. A study in mice found that increasing IL-2 boosted the antiviral response and was associated with much lower viral levels in the lungs [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2682335/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That is how a variant that decreases IL-2 and thereby the Th1 response, in this case the 'A' allele, would increase susceptibility to respiratory infections .</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Do we know for certain that the 'A' variant decreases IL-2 production? Two studies do suggest that white blood cells of people with</span><strong> 'CC' genotypes may make two to three times as much IL-2 protein</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as cells of people with 'AA' or 'AC' genotypes [</span><a href="https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/Fulltext/2001/10270/ASSOCIATION_OF_CYTOKINE_POLYMORPHIC_INHERITANCE.19.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333313"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, one of these studies suggest that what happens in the body may differ to what happens in isolated cells. In other words, there is a possibility that 'CC' is actually associated with lower IL-2 levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16333313"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp; At this point, we need more research to know for sure.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, there are some studies that suggest that low levels of IL-2 boost the immune system by being pro-inflammatory, while higher levels act as anti-inflammatory [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20044643/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16827142/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480497/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. More research is needed to support this.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The 'A' allele of the rs2069762 variant may skew the Th1/Th2 balance towards Th2, thereby lowering the body's defence against viruses.&nbsp;</span></p> <h2><strong>Your <em>IL2</em> Results for Respiratory Infections</strong></h2> <p><strong>*3816630334843496*</strong><strong><br /></strong></p> <h3><strong>SNP Summary and Table</strong></h3> <p><strong><em>IL2</em></strong><strong> rs2069762</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>'A' = more common allele, linked to higher susceptibility to respiratory infections</strong></li> <li><strong>'C' = less common allele, linked to lower susceptibility to respiratory infections</strong></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 90% of people worldwide carry either the 'AA' or the 'AC' genotype, while 10% of people carry the 'CC' genotype. The 'CC' genotype is more frequent in South Asia, where 24% of people have it.</span></p> <p><strong>*8695728744149632*</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2><strong>Recommendations For Lung Health</strong></h2> <p><strong>*4410686651322089*</strong></p> <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. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <h3><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A study in 10 elite Taekwondo athletes suggests that exercise may increase IL-2 levels [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4998103/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We know that </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;"> and physical fitness improve the immune response and reduce rates of illness [</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="font-weight: 400;">Moderate to vigorous exercise improved the immune function of the respiratory tract (measured as higher production of IgA antibodies, which fight off respiratory infections) and reduced the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in several studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1724582/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19941250"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </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 the purposes of immunity and preventing infections, it&rsquo;s important to stay within your comfort zone; periods of intense physical training have been linked to windows of reduced immunity that 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;">Indeed, strenuous exercise reduced IgA production and increased the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in multiple studies [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7883401"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11774070"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19846424"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8223526"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21490511"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24448005"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15741834"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15756172"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16596116"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22151281"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12402176"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17279097"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One study, for example, found increased production of </span><a href="http://www.selfdecode.com/gene/il2/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-2</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, together with anti-inflammatory cytokines </span><a href="https://www.selfdecode.com/gene/il4/?utm_source=seo&amp;#38;utm_medium=selfhacked&amp;#38;utm_campaign=id00002"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-4</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/il-10/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">IL-10</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after intense exercise, which could partly explain the increased rate of infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22151281"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is in line with the theory that low/moderate levels of IL-2 may boost the immune response but high levels act to suppress it [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20044643/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16827142/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12480497/"><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 physically fit but not overtaxing yourself could help improve defenses against 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="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Moderate exercise helps boost the immune system and this may partially be due to an increase in IL-2. However, both strenuous exercise and higher IL-2 levels may suppress the immune response in excess.&nbsp;</span></p> <h4><strong>Getting Enough Sleep</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Human studies suggest that IL-2 is produced during sleep and that sleep deprivation decreases the production of IL-2 and NK cells, which are important for combating viral infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5976532/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-sleep/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sleep </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">deprivation, disrupted </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/what-it-means-to-keep-to-a-circadian-rhythm/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">circadian</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> rhythms, and insomnia are well-known triggers of poor immune function and increased susceptibility to infections, including those of the respiratory tract [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4899278/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5768894/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two studies on over 1,300 people associated suboptimal sleeping with an increased incidence of respiratory tract infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29746692"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31099836"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Try to go to sleep at the same time each night and sleep for eight hours whenever possible to help with the prevention and recovery of respiratory infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2839418/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4568388/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Sleep is important for IL-2 production. Studies suggest that sleep deprivation may decrease IL-2 levels.</span></p> <h3><strong>Diet</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Zinc</strong></h4> <p><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;"> 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;">Studies in cells show that zinc enhances the effect of IL-2 on immune cells and also increases the production of IL-2 by immune cells [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2345864/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Humans with mild zinc deficiency have lower IL-2 levels and they have lower levels of immune cells needed to combat viral infections. Supplementing immune cells with zinc boosts IL-2 production in laboratory [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22983538/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zinc supplementation was shown to improve the immune response and increase IL-2 production in pigs [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29402502/"><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 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;">According to some estimates, zinc deficiency contributes to about 16% of lower respiratory infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5490603/"><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="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Studies suggest that zinc is important for both IL-2 production and IL-2 function. People with mild zinc deficiency tend to have lower IL-2 levels and may have a higher risk of respiratory infections.</span></p> <h4><strong>Garlic</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In cell studies, garlic and its compound allicin boost the immune response by increasing IL-2 production [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10737264/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30500420/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8402735/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]. Clinical studies are needed to confirm this effect in humans.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a study of 120 people, aged </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/garlic-health-benefits/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">garlic </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">extract reduced the severity of colds and the flu. It increased the number of immune cells (T cells and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/intro-natural-killer-cells-increase-decrease/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">NK cells</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">), thus boosting the immune system while lowering inflammatory proteins (cytokines) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22280901"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19588383"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another clinical trial on 146 healthy volunteers found that taking an allicin-containing garlic supplement every day helped prevent the common cold and reduce its duration [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11697022"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The latest analysis, however, failed to find any other studies with good quality. Overall, the evidence is insufficient to claim that garlic can prevent or fight the cold and flu [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6465033/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In one study on 52 healthy volunteers, garlic powder extract with a cellulose-containing nose spray (Nasaleze Travel) prevented airborne infections better than the spray alone [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7091244/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, garlic extract had little or no effect in a clinical trial on 26 people with a bacterial lung infection [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20306535"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Importantly, have in mind that cooked garlic is less potent than raw garlic because its main active compound (allicin) is broken down by heat [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594976"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074326/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0701/p103.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cell studies suggest that garlic helps boost the immune response by increasing IL-2 levels. Clinical studies are needed to confirm this in humans.</span></p> <h3><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4><strong>Licorice Root</strong></h4> <p>Licorice root may enhance antiviral immunity by boosting IL-2 and IFN-gamma. In test tubes, it has shown promising effects against different respiratory viruses <span style="font-weight: 400;">[</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746531/">R</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23643542">R</a>, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC163749/">R</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22905423">R</a></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a trial of 28 patients, maoto (an herbal product that contains licorice root) </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">was as effective as antiviral drugs for treating flu symptoms and reducing viral activity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22350323">R</a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A study of 46 children with respiratory tract infections found that an herbal mixture containing licorice root may be able to reduce coughing and awakenings during the night [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6448545/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to another study of 70 patients with a chronic cough, licorice pastille (a type of candy) was able to significantly reduce coughing compared to placebo [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32147070"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Licorice root may enhance antiviral immunity by boosting IL-2 and help prevent respiratory infections.</span></p> <h4><strong>Asian Ginseng</strong></h4> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In mouse studies, ginseng enhances both innate and adaptive immunity and these effects include an increase in IL-2 production [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28875201/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31151509/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ginseng also helped increase IL-2 levels in a study with 97 lung cancer patients [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25618966/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a trial of 227 people, those who took 100 mg of a </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ginseng/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ginseng </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">extract (G115) were less likely to catch a cold or flu. The ginseng group also had higher levels of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/intro-natural-killer-cells-increase-decrease/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">NK cell</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> activity [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8879982"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In another trial on 100 people, Korean red ginseng reduced the incidence and severity of upper respiratory infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3524425/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In mice, Asian ginseng, its fermented extracts, and compounds (saponins and polysaccharides) increased survival after infection with different influenza viruses [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3307756/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164659/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3942714/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302443/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23727921"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">] and enhanced the effectiveness of the vaccines against them [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3659611/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20034596"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3466917/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Small-scale human and animal studies suggest that ginseng enhances immunity by increasing IL-2 levels.</span> </span></p>
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161 | content_learn_more_8695728744149632_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your IL2 gene is associated with a lower susceptibility to respiratory infections. However, other genes and health factors may still contribute to your risk.
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