Cheese to improve immune system

Cheese can help preserve and enhance the immune system of elderly people by acting as a carrier of probiotic bacteria.

Residents of a care home in Finland – aged between 72 and 103 – we asked to eat one slice of probiotic Gouda cheese or a placebo with their breakfast for four weeks, after which blood tests were carried out to discover the effect of probiotic bacteria on the immune system.

“We have demonstrated that the regular intake of probiotic cheese can help to boost the immune system and that including it in a regular diet may help to improve an elderly person’s immune response to external changes,” said lead author Dr Fandi Ibrahim from the University of Turku in Finland.

Dr Ibrahim’s team believe that the daily intake of probiotic cheese will tackle the age-related deterioration of the immune system – or immunosenescene. The deterioration means that the body cannot kill tumour cells and the immune response to infection and vaccinations is reduced.

The team tackled immunosenescene by targeting the gastrointestinal tract – the main entry point for bacteria cells into the body through food and drink. This is also where 70% of vital immunoglobin cells are created.

Ibrahim’s results show a clear enhancement of natural and acquired immunity through the activation of NK blood cells and an increase in phagocytic activity.