The Role of Plant-Based Protein Functional Food in Preventing Acute Respiratory Disease: A Case Study

Abstract

The Kaliningrad region is known for its specific climate, which can negatively affect the adaptive potential of the body. This manifests in an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and skin conditions. To prevent high morbidity, a plant protein product was included in the diet of first-year university students. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this food intervention in preventing the most common diseases among Kaliningrad students. Two groups of university students took part in the food trial. In the control group, catabolic processes prevailed in nutrient metabolism. Disadaptation manifested itself in the metabolism of proteins, vitamins, minerals, hematopoiesis and humoral immunity. Inflammation was indicated by α1- and α2-globulins, a weak immune response, and IgM and IgG. High oxidative stress and low antioxidative ability of blood serum were observed. The plant-based protein product (FP) helped preserve testosterone level and prevent an increase in catabolic reactions. Moreover, it had a positive effect on both red blood cell hematopoiesis (a smaller increase in the average volume of erythrocytes, the same average concentration and content of hemoglobin, an increased relative red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell hematopoiesis (a beneficial effect for the immune system: lymphocytes, the relative content of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils). The stimulation of humoral immunity was evidenced by beta- and gamma-globulins, an active immune response, the level of IgM and IgG, antioxidant protection, reduction of peroxides and an increase in antioxidant activity of blood serum. The 34-week observation showed a 1.7-fold decrease in the incidence of respiratory illnesses and a 5.7-fold decrease in skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. Acute respiratory infections were reduced 1.8-fold. There were no cases of community-acquired pneumonia in the treatment group, compared with 55.1‰ in the control group. The incidence of respiratory diseases was 3.3–10.6 times lower in the treatment group than in the control group in weeks 6–19. The findings testify to the prophylactic effect of functional food during social adaptation and acclimatization of students.

A Study of the Effects of a Diet with Functional Foods on the Adaptogenicity of First-Year Students to the Student Lifestyle

“…In addition, nine out of ten students who participated in the clinical trial had to adapt to new climatic conditions. As is known, the climate of the Baltic Sea may have a negative impact on health [61]. The cumulative negative impact of environmental factors weakens the adaptive capacity of the body, particularly so during the initial period of adaptation and acclimatization.…”

Modern factors determining the status of students’ health

“…From a hygienic point of view, students' lifestyle has a number of shortcomings resulting in health worsening. The most widely spread ones include a high risk of developing stress and depression due to a low physical activity, high level of psychoemotional stress during lessons and examination periods, irrational and irregular nutrition, social adaptation to a new habitat, which is often accompanied by acclimatization while moving for educational purposes, disorders of sleep and rest, harmful habits [4].…”