Editor's Special Interest Articles Fat Cells Can Fight Disease Purdue University researchers say fat cells could aid the body's defenses against illnesses such as diabetes and cancer. Rather than contributing to disease as commonly thought, fat cells normally function as part of the immune system and actually may benefit human health, Animal Sciences Professor Michael Spurlock said in the January issue of the American Journal of Physiology. "(Fat cells) can be functional and beneficial without creating obesity," Spurlock said. "The key is that we want plenty of (the cells) to meet whatever (disease-fighting) needs they fulfill, but we don't want them to overaccumulate." Spurlock and colleagues said pig fat cells respond to infections by producing hormone-like proteins that regulate certain aspects of the body's immune response. "This is additional evidence that fat cells behave in many ways as immune cells," Spurlock said. "It also is the first evidence that (the) cells respond directly to bacterial toxins like classical immune cells." Copyright 2004 by United Press International. All rights reserved. - Updated: January 26, 2004   Mustain Family Health & Home, along with all information provided, is for educational purposes only and is not an attempt to replace the need to seek healthcare services or to provide specific healthcare advice. We strongly encourage users to consult with their chiropractor or other qualified healthcare professionals for personal healthcare attention and answers to personal questions. Mustain Family Health & Home 11201 N. May Oklahoma City, OK 73120 Rick Mustain Mustain Chiropractic Clinic E-Mail: info@mustainhealth.org Phone: 405-751-0848 Fax: 405-752-5839 Published by Healthy Practices, Inc.     © 2001-2003 Healthy Practices, Inc. All rights reserved.