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Nutrition, intestinal defence and the microbiome
1Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Street, London E1 2AD, UK. m.p.kelly@qmul.ac.uk
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|March 6, 2010
Summary
Nutrition, host defense, and infection are intricately linked, with the human microbiome playing a crucial role in this complex interplay. Understanding these interactions is key to developing new global health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Historical research in the 1960s highlighted nutrition-infection interactions.
- Recent advances in immunology and microbiome research have deepened understanding.
- The microbiome's role in host defense and metabolism is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the complex interactions between nutrition, host defense, infection, and the microbiome.
- To provide a conceptual framework for potential health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review exploring evidence for interactions.
- Analysis of the impact of microbiome on host defense and metabolism.
- Examination of host defense and nutritional status influence on the microbiome.
Main Results:
- The microbiome significantly influences host defense and metabolic processes.
- Host defense mechanisms shape the composition of the microbiome.
- Nutritional status, especially micronutrients, modulates host defense.
Conclusions:
- The established nutrition-infection model must incorporate the microbiome as a fourth interacting element.
- Understanding these multifaceted interactions is critical for global health.
- Interventions targeting these interactions are emerging but require further development.
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