Cabbage And Soybeans May Improve Immune Function

Research out of Osaka University has found that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a lipid high in cabbage and soybeans, could be effective at regulating lymphocyte activity, and immune responses.

Previously, lymphocyte motility mechanisms have been unknown. Current research has uncovered new information as to how this mechanism functions. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA,) and the receptors that bind to this lipid, have been discovered to be an influential component when it comes to regulating immune responses.

Normally, lymphocytes are responsible for responding to pathogens that enter the body, and abnormal cells that arise, by destroying them. They often are exposed to these abnormal cells, or pathogens in the lymph nodes. A team of researchers has now identified that LPA helps to regulate the motility of lymphocytes within lymph nodes. LPA binds to lymphocytes, and allows them to circulate lymph nodes more effectively in order to identify and respond to pathogens.

This new knowledge will allow for new strategies to help support the immune system. As it is known that LPA is high in cabbage and soybean, along with other herbal medicines, we can use these foods and natural sources to help boost the immune system.

Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.

Akira Takeda, Daichi Kobayashi, Keita Aoi, Naoko Sasaki, Yuki Sugiura, Hidemitsu Igarashi, Kazuo Tohya, Asuka Inoue, Erina Hata, Noriyuki Akahoshi, Haruko Hayasaka, Junichi Kikuta, Elke Scandella, Burkhard Ludewig, Satoshi Ishii, Junken Aoki, Makoto Suematsu, Masaru Ishii, Kiyoshi Takeda, Sirpa Jalkanen, Masayuki Miyasaka, Eiji Umemoto. Fibroblastic reticular cell-derived lysophosphatidic acid regulates confined intranodal T-cell motility. eLife, 2016; 5 DOI: 10.7554/eLife.10561