Aging and Autoimmunity

Posted by Elaine Moore Jul 23, 2006

The risk of developing an autoimmune disorder develops with age as does the risk of cancer. Both autoimmune disorders and cancerous growths are caused by a poorly functioning immune system. As we age the immune system weakens. Consequently, the immune system's white blood cells are more likely to err, which contributes to autoimmune disease development. Also, the body's cumulative exposure to known environmental triggers such as food allergens, infectious agents, inhalants and chemicals increases with age. Symptoms of autoimmune disease often worsen as we age because of our body's reduced skeletal and muscle mass. The skin's elasticity and tone also diminishes. Autoimmune skin disorders, for instance psoriasis, and autoimmune rheumatologic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are more likely to occur in elderly individuals.

One reason for the loss of cell-mediated immune functions related to aging is related to the immune system's progressive inability to receive normal transduction signals. Normally, our immune system cells would prevent autoreactive cells from attacking our body's tissues. Normally, our immune system cells would destroy these autoreactive cells. However, unable to recognize the signals that alert our immune systems that things are amiss, our immune system cells lack their normal controls. It's suspected that as the increasing number of elderly people will lead to a dramatic increase in autoimmune diseases in the next few decades.

Robert Butler, a professor of geriatrics who is also president and CEO of the International Longevity Center UCLA reports that prevention and therapeutics to improve the body's immune and hormonal systems are key factors in field of geriatric medicine. Prevention focuses on keeping the immune system healthy with a nutrient-rich diet, nutritional supplements, adequate exercise, and an avoidance of environmental toxins and allergens. These efforts will also help with the normal changes seen in aging such as reductions in sight, hearting, taste, memory, and smell.

The primary goal of preventive therapies is to prevent the damage to cellular DNA that occurs with continued exposure to environmental toxins and infectious agents. Besides the increased risk of autoimmune disorders, the elderly are also susceptible to viral and bacterial infection, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Immune-mediated changes to cellular DNA lead to deficiencies in T lymphocyte production and an imbalance of immune system chemicals (interleukins and other cytokines). In addition, the B cell repertoire changes that characterize systemic autoimmune diseases are similar to those of an accelerated immune system aging process. These changes promote a perpetual inflammatory response, similar to that caused by diets rich in refined sugars and saturated fats. Studies in rats show that a diet enriched in vegetable oils, such as corn oil, also promote more severe kidney disease, whereas a diet rich in omega-3 oils delays the disease process by suppressing the immune response.

The Aging Initiative Project of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also notes, as does the Life Extension Foundation, that fewer calories delays the onset of autoimmune and other age-related diseases by enhancing antioxidant enzymes and lowering proinflammatory cytokines. The EPA is concerned that fish oil supplements may be contaminated with mercury and may be particularly toxic to the elderly and during pregnancy. In addition, genetically modified foods, such as oil seeds, grains, corn, soybeans, canola, tomatoes and potatoes, used as animal feed may also produce toxic or allergenic proteins. In Europe, public awareness of the risks of genetically modified animal feed has led to strict safety concerns. Following the ancient advice of Hippocrates to eat pure foods and pure water is the first step in preventing age-related changes that contribute to and worsen autoimmune diseases.