b'New Clues to Sex Differences in Autoimmune Disease Autoimmune diseases affect about eight percent of the population, but 78 percent of those are female. The reasons for the high prevalence of autoimmune diseases in femles are unknown, but new research could provide a clue. According to a February 2024 study published in the journal Cell, the molecule Xist may play a role in autoimmune diseases. The role of this molecule is to prevent overproduction of certain proteins in people with two X chromosomes (biological females), so Xist is an RNA molecule that is only found in female cells.Lupus is an autoimmune condition that is particularly uneven in terms of prevalence. It affects a 9:1 ratio of females to males. In an experiment on mice, a Stanford study found that when they activated Xist genes in male mice, the males developed lupus-like autoimmunity at a similar rate to females. This indicates Xist may play a role in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases such as lupus and MS in females. The research provides a new pathway for study and could lead to future treatments for autoimmune diseases.Protecting Your Immune System Just as healthy habits promote immune health, certain unhealthy habits can damage our immune systems. You can protect your immune system by avoiding certain practices. 1. Tobacco and nicotine usecigarette smoking has been causally linked to several autoimmune disorders, including MS. Smoking reduces the bodys antioxidant levels and interferes with the functions of T cells and cytokines. Nicotine itself has been shown to be an immunosuppressant. So quitting smoking, vaping, and other forms of nicotine or tobacco ingestion can help protect your immune function.2. High alcohol consumptionwhile moderate alcohol use can show a positive effect on inammation, both chronic alcohol use and binge alcohol use can have negative effects on immune health. High alcohol consumption reduces good bacteria in your stomach and digestive tract and lowers the number of B cells and T cells in your immune system. Fortunately, stopping drinking or reducing alcohol consumption to recommended levels can allow your immune system to return to health. 3. Excessive chemical exposurewe are all unavoidably exposed to chemicals in our environment and everyday lives. However, research has shown that people in careers with frequent chemical exposure have a higher risk of autoimmune illnesses. With MS, studies have shown an increase in risk of up to 50 percent for people with high exposure to solvents (which are used in products such as paints, adhesives, cleaning agents, degreasers, and in the production of dyes, plastics, textiles, and inks, etc.). While exposure to any of these is not the direct cause of autoimmune disease, the effects of exposure on the immune system combined with a genetic predisposition to a disease are believed to be a trigger. Reducing our daily exposure to chemicals where possible helps protect our immune systems. If exposure is a part of your work, wear appropriate protective gear. 14'