The โScience Directโโ published research, funded byย Raisio Nutrition, the makers of the studied plant stanol drink, found that the immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations against the COVID-19 spike protein peaked to their highest point in the two weeks following administered COVID vaccinations.
In addition, inflammatory cytokine concentrations were found to decrease in the plant stanol ester group compared with the control group, suggesting potential benefits to the inflammatory status of those with overweight and obesity.
โConsuming plant stanols (4 g/d) affects immune responses to COVID-19 vaccinations, translating into increased serum anti-COVID-19 IgM concentrations in subjects with overweight/obesity,โ the Dutch researchers explained.
โThese results suggest that this high-risk group for COVID-19 complications could benefit from plant stanol consumption.โ
The report concluded: โWe have shown here, for the first time, that the effects of plant stanols on immune responses occur independently of changes in serum LDL cholesterol concentrations.โ
Obesity and weakened immunityโ
The obesity epidemic is ever-growing with the increasingly sedentary and convenience-orientated modern world. During the Covid pandemic, it was established that those with impaired immunity as well as those with obesity were at an increased risk of contracting a more severe illness and hospitalisation.ย This has been attributed to potentially impaired T-cell activation or functioning.ย
‘Antibody titers’ are a measure of blood that determines the presence and level of antibodies in the blood.ย There has been significant interest in how antibody titers to the virus vaccinations can be increased. It has been reported that consumption of a plant stanol-enriched yoghurt found to increase antibody productionโย and the response was particularly noteworthy amongst those with overweight or obesity.
The findings drew attention to the potential benefits of plant stanol esters in those at risk of severe COVID-19.ย
Plant stanols and antibody titersโ
The researchers recruited 32 subjects over the age of 18 years old, with a BMI between 27 and 25 kg/m2โ. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the plant stanol ester or a control.
The oat-based drinks (100 mL)ย provided by Raisio Nutrition Ltd contained 2g of plant stanols. Participants were administered two drinks a day with or directly after meals for two weeks prior to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. They continued consumption until four weeks following this.
Antibody titers were assessed weekly as well as serum metabolic markers and cytokine profiles.
It was reported that IgM concentrations increase in the plant stanol ester group against the COVID-19 spike protein, when compared with the control. The biggest difference was noted two weeks following the vaccination.
In addition, stimulated proinflammatory, T helper, and regulatory T cell cytokine concentrations were found to decrease in the plant stanol ester group compared with the control group.
Thus, the researchers conclude that plant stanol consumption may influence immune responses, particularly in those with a weakened immune system.
Yet, they urge for further research to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action to further advance the field of research and validate the findings.
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Source: Science Directโ
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.01.017โ
โPlant stanol consumption increases anti-COVID-19 antibody responses, independent of changes in serum cholesterol concentrations: a randomized controlled trialโ
Authors: Lieve van Brakel et al.