Hormonal
Human immune function exhibits significant seasonal variation, with a pro-inflammatory transcriptomic profile and increased circulating levels of risk biomarkers (sIL-6R, CRP) during winter months in temperate climates.
If you live in a temperate climate, your immune system is biologically wired to be more inflammatory in winter. This is an evolutionary adaptation, not just a reaction to germs. Be aware that this internal shift may increase your baseline risk for inflammatory conditions during winter months, regardless of your lifestyle choices.
With regards to tissue function, the immune system has a profound pro-inflammatory transcriptomic profile during European winter, with increased levels of soluble IL-6 receptor and C-reactive protein, risk biomarkers for cardiovascular, psychiatric and autoimmune diseases that have peak incidences in winter.
Why this rating
Large sample sizes across multiple cohorts (Germany, UK, Australia, US, Iceland, Gambia) with replicated findings.
Source
Widespread seasonal gene expression reveals annual differences in human immunity and physiology
Xaquín Castro Dopico et al. · Nature Communications · 2015
DOI 10.1038/ncomms8000
More from this paper
- The cellular composition of peripheral blood changes seasonally, with white blood cell counts and specific lineages (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils) varying significantly by season in temperate regions.Good
- Seasonal gene expression patterns in the immune system are inverted between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, indicating a photoperiod-driven circannual rhythm.Good
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