Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1328890
experience – in other words, the body fights the disease the hard way, or via immunizations. Finally, there is passive or "borrowed" immunity from an outside source; for example, protection that a mother passes on to her baby through antibodies in breast milk. This type of immunity is generally temporary, but just as important as the other types. "Adding some muscle" to your immune system Looking at the sales of "immunity boosting" products worldwide, it is evident that this health factor is top of mind for most consumers. According to a recent report, 1 the global market for these products is expected to surpass $17 billion by 2025. Still, while the product category continues to grow, the deep-rooted belief in maintaining a good old-fashioned nutritional diet continues to thrive. 2 In fact, this belief is supported by many clinical, observational, and epidemiological studies that clearly demonstrate a healthy diet is critical to ensuring a healthy immune system. 3,4 Still, studies on dietary patterns are unable to explain the contribution of a single food group or a food commodity to one's overall immunity strength. To demonstrate such a contribution would require a food to be investigated using appropriate clinical study designs – enter the Almond Board of California's (ABC's) Nutrition Research program. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, a nutrient known for its role in supporting a healthy immune system. 5 Other nutrients found in almonds, such as magnesium and copper, are all known to play a role in immune function. 6 However, their mere presence may not lend their immune boosting properties to the nut itself. To gain greater understanding in this area, ABC's Nutrition Research team is investigating if almonds' nutrient composition imparts its ability to contribute to immune strength to consumers. The team recently sent a request for proposals to over 150 researchers worldwide, asking for study ideas that will conclusively demonstrate if almonds, as a whole food, play a role in improving immune strength. The call for proposals saw a robust response with submissions pouring in from experts around the world, from Australia to Spain, the UK to the U.S. These submissions are in the process of being evaluated by ABC's Nutrition Research Committee, a body with rich nutrition expertise and insight. The initial letter of intent submissions (the first step in the application process) will be filtered down to top choices for full proposal submissions. Those, in turn, will be evaluated to identify the award-winning proposals. Once funded, results could become available in 2-3 years (depending upon the proposed study duration). One might wonder if immunity and worldwide interest around this topic will still be as avid in a few years. The simple answer is "yes." Prevalent conditions are a powerful reminder that immunity cannot be taken lightly. And if there were ever any doubts that healthy eating would always be viewed as pivotal in strengthening immunity, the response from our first- grade consultant helps dispel them completely: When asked why healthy foods work against infection, his simple answer is, "Because healthy foods make the infection run away!" Here's hoping this argument holds true for almonds. Stay tuned for an update on this exciting immunity research. 1 https://bit.ly/3gKV4w5 2 Jacobs Jr., D.R.; Gross, M.D.; Tapsell, L.C. Food Synergy: an Operational Concept for Understanding Nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 2009, 89 (suppl): 1543S-8S. 3 Azzini, E. et al. Mediterranean Diet Effect: an Italian Picture. Nutrition Journal 2011, 10:125. 4 Molendijk, I.; van der Marel, S.; Jeroen Maljaars, P.W. Towards a Food Pharmacy: Immunologic Modulation through Diet. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1239. 5 Lee, G.Y.; Han, S.N. The Role of Vitamin E in Immunity. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1614. 6 Maggini, S.; Pierre, A.; Calder, P.C. Immune Function and Micronutrient Requirements Change over the Life Course. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1531. HEALTHY FOODS HEALTHY FOODS Almond Board of California 6