[Immune enhancing diet]

Immunonutrition contains nutritional elements which generally carry a positive effect on the immune system when given in large amounts. The main nutrients included in immunonutrition are: L-arginine, L-glutamine, nucleotides, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Patients fed with immunonutrition had less infectious complications, were mechanically ventilated for shorter periods of time, and their hospitalization period was shorter. Mortality rates were generally not improved. In 2001, the U.S. Summit on Immune-Enhancing Enteral Therapy listed groups of patients who would benefit from immunonutrition. The article includes these recommendations. In conclusion, physicians should familiarize themselves with the issue of immunonutrition and consider using it in specific groups of hospital patients.