Changes in the immune system are conditioned by nutrition.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Nutrition Science
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Undernutrition, from insufficient energy, macronutrients, or micronutrients, compromises the immune system.
• Immune functions crucial for host protection, including cell-mediated immunity and antibody responses, are suppressed by poor nutrition.
• Ageing, intense physical exercise, obesity, eating disorders, and gastrointestinal issues can also alter immune parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of nutrition on immune function.
• To examine how nutritional status influences immune alterations in physiological and pathological conditions.
• To highlight the role of nutrition in immunological impairments associated with specific disorders.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating nutrition and immune function.
• Analysis of immune system abnormalities linked to nutritional deficiencies.
• Examination of immune responses in conditions like ageing, exercise, obesity, and eating disorders.

Main Results:

• Consistent immune abnormalities observed include impaired cell-mediated immunity, complement system, phagocyte function, cytokine production, and antibody responses.
• Nutrition significantly modulates immune alterations during ageing and intense physical activity.
• Nutritional factors are primary or secondary determinants in immunological impairments seen in obesity, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, food hypersensitivity, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Conclusions:

• Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining immune system integrity and host protection.
• Understanding nutritional impacts is vital for managing immune dysfunction in various physiological and pathological states.
• Further research into nutrition's role in immune health is warranted for diverse populations and conditions.