A recent study has shed light on the enduring impact of smoking on the human immune system, revealing that even after individuals quit, their vulnerability to diseases and infections persists for years. Despite a decline in smoking rates since the 1960s, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, claiming over 480,000 lives annually.
Published in the journal Nature, the study emphasizes the long-term consequences of smoking on the body's ability to combat infections, increasing the risk of chronic diseases associated with inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The research, which analyzed blood samples from 1,000 healthy individuals aged 20 to 69, highlighted smoking's substantial impact on immune response, comparable to influential factors like age and gender.
Dr. Violaine Saint-André, a computational biology specialist at Institut Pasteur in Paris and co-author of the study, emphasized the urgent need to quit smoking, especially for the younger population, citing a significant interest in preserving long-term immunity.
The study investigated 136 variables, including lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and dietary habits, revealing that smoking, body mass index, and latent herpes virus infection exerted the most significant influence on immune response. Notably, when smokers in the study quit, their immune response improved, but full recovery took years.
Dr. Darragh Duffy, leader of the Translational Immunology unit at Institut Pasteur and study co-author, emphasized the positive aspect of immune response resetting after quitting smoking, underscoring that the best time to quit is now, regardless of the duration of smoking.
Furthermore, the study found a direct correlation between the extent of smoking and changes in immune response, suggesting that any reduction in smoking has a positive impact. The research revealed long-term epigenetic effects on both the innate and adaptive immune responses, with the latter persisting even after smoking cessation.
While the study has limitations, including its reliance on blood samples in a lab setting, the findings provide valuable insights into the lasting effects of smoking on adaptive immunity. Dr. Yasmin Thanavala, a professor of oncology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, commended the study's validation of previous research on smoking's impact on immune response.
Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Medical Association, noted that the study contributes to understanding the link between smoking and immune system issues, offering insights into conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In conclusion, the study underscores the critical importance of quitting smoking to preserve and enhance long-term immunity, urging individuals, particularly the youth, to prioritize their health by breaking free from this harmful habit.
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