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Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 1/2014

01-01-2014 | AUTOIMMUNITY (TK TARRANT, SECTION EDITOR)

Role of “Western Diet” in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases

Authors: Arndt Manzel, Dominik N. Muller, David A. Hafler, Susan E. Erdman, Ralf A. Linker, Markus Kleinewietfeld

Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Developed societies, although having successfully reduced the burden of infectious disease, constitute an environment where metabolic, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases thrive. Living in westernized countries has not fundamentally changed the genetic basis on which these diseases emerge, but has strong impact on lifestyle and pathogen exposure. In particular, nutritional patterns collectively termed the “Western diet”, including high-fat and cholesterol, high-protein, high-sugar, and excess salt intake, as well as frequent consumption of processed and ‘fast foods’, promote obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. These factors have also gained high interest as possible promoters of autoimmune diseases. Underlying metabolic and immunologic mechanisms are currently being intensively explored. This review discusses the current knowledge relative to the association of “Western diet” with autoimmunity, and highlights the role of T cells as central players linking dietary influences to autoimmune pathology.
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Metadata
Title
Role of “Western Diet” in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases
Authors
Arndt Manzel
Dominik N. Muller
David A. Hafler
Susan E. Erdman
Ralf A. Linker
Markus Kleinewietfeld
Publication date
01-01-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1529-7322
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6315
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-013-0404-6

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