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Why Women’s Immune Systems Are Stronger Than Men’s

January 8, 2014 By RHP Staff

The age old stereotype of women overreacting has been long touted. However, there could be a smidge of truth to it when you’re talking about their immune system.
A new study has found that the immune system in women is significantly stronger than a man’s when it comes to their reaction to the flu vaccine. Women of various age groups had a higher antibody production rate and a raise in the inflammatory cytokine count than their male counterparts.

Male Versus Female Immune System

The gender gap related to immune reactions has been commonly known. However, the mechanics behind the reasoning has remained a mystery among scientists. The latest study has shined new light on the findings identifying various genes regaled by testosterone. They may also deem them as a major component to the response mechanism. The greater the testosterone levels of the individual involved, you’ll find the immune reaction to the vaccine to be lower.

In general terms, the immune system response of a woman is stronger than those of a man. While this can mean good news because they’re less susceptible to viral, bacterial, fungal and other various types of infections than men, their immune systems are more suspect to overreact.

An over stimulated immune system can go after healthy tissue as seen in autoimmune illnesses that include lupus. It can also pose life threatening complications in post-infection issues where an abundance of immune cells have compromised the way the body functions normally.

It’s All in the Genes

The current study examined the way the immune system responded to seasonal vaccinations in both men and women between the ages of 20 to 89. Based on the blood tests, they were able to ascertain and isolate the genes at the center of fat metabolism. Regulated by testosterone, the researchers found that the male genes showing higher hormone levels had tested lower for the antibody response.

The latest findings centered on genes, the sex chromosome location and how the response to vaccinations is affected by the immune system. The current research has also paved the path for testosterones important role, the treatment of immunological overreactions, and the reasoning behind the raised rate of autoimmune diseases in women.

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