While fats have been blamed for increased cholesterol levels and related diseases like overweight and strokes, some fatty acids are “good fats” that are needed for energy by most types of cells in the body to build up good immunity. However, surprisingly many nutritionists prefer recommending costly supplements over easily available fatty acids to people with low immunity.
A recent study by Nutritionists Republic, a community of dieticians and nutritionists says about 40 per cent nutritionists do not consider the involvement of fatty acids while planning an immunity-specific diet.
In fact, 33 per cent of the 1,000 nutritionists surveyed across India were not even aware about monolaurin, an active immune-building molecule that is derived from lauric acid, one of the fatty acids, said Charu Dua, member, Nutritionists Republic and Senior Dietician, Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital, Delhi.
She attributed this to lack of awareness among nutritionists towards presence of such fatty acids that fight against pathogens.
While prescribing foods to enhance immunity, major preference is given to phytochemical containing food like garlic, onion etc and to herbs and spices. Fatty acids like Omega 3, Omega 6, short chain fatty acids and monolaurin assume least importance whereas they exhibit equal or at times superior immune boosting qualities, she said.
Dua further said that that monolaurin is also indicated in digestive disorders and inflammatory conditions like gastritis besides being effective against a host of viruses like epstein barr virus, measles virus, influenza virus along with checking the growth of fungal and urinary tract infections.
Mother’s milk is considered to be one of the most potent and effective immune potion that helps a newborn baby with under-developed immune system to fight off fatal bacterial invasion.
Speaking about the dietary source of lauric acid/monolaurin, nutritionist and obesity consultant Naini Setalvad recommends coconut oil.
She says, “The next best source of monolaurin after mother’s milk is coconut oil with 50 per cent of its saturated fat being lauric acid. Coconut oil has no trans fat which is commonly implicated in heart disease and metabolic syndrome.” Research shows that daily requirement of lauric acid is about 10-20 grams per day as a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
Talking about the immune crisis faced by today’s population, Dr Rosemarie deSouza, Head of Medical Intensive Care Unit at BYl Nair hospital, Mumbai says, “Constant abuse of antibiotics, poor lifestyle and diet composition, pollution and general weak immunity has made the population really vulnerable.
“This is manifested in the form of cold, cough, flu. When not treated pathogenic invasion can amplify to serious conditions like tuberculosis, asthma, tuberculosis, and bronchitis.”