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Nutrition and immunology: from the clinic to cellular biology and back again *

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

R. K. Chandra
R. K. Chandra*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Division of Immunology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s Newfoundland AIA IR8, Canada and Division of Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
*
Corresponding Author: Professor R. K. Chandra, fax +1 709 778 4191, email rchandra@morgan.ucs.mun.ca
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Abstract

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Diet and immunity have been known to be linked to each other for centuries. In the last 30 years systematic studies have confirmed that nutrient deficiencies impair immune response and lead to frequent severe infections resulting in increased mortality, especially in children. Protein-energy malnutrition results in reduced number and functions of T-cells, phagocytic cells and secretory immunoglobulin A antibody response. In addition, levels of many complement components are reduced. Similar findings have been reported for moderate deficiencies of individual nutrients such as trace minerals and vitamins, particularly Zn, Fe, Se, vitamins A, B6, C and E. For example, Zn deficiency is associated with profound impairment of cell-mediated immunity such as lymphocyte stimulation response, decreased CD4+:CD8+ cells, and decreased chemotaxis of phagocytes. In addition, the level of thymulin, which is a Zn-dependent hormone, is markedly decreased. The use of nutrient supplements, singly or in combination, stimulates immune response and may result in fewer infections, particularly in the elderly, low-birth-weight infants and malnourished critically-ill patients in hospitals. The interactions between nutrition and the immune system are of clinical, practical and public health importance.

Keywords

Trace elementsAgeingLow-birth-weight infantsImmune responsesInfection
Type
Symposium on ’Nutrition, infection and immunity‘
Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 58 , Issue 3 , August 1999 , pp. 681 - 683
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1999

Footnotes

*

This paper is based in part on the Dr Pran Taneja Memorial Oration given at the Indian Academy of Pediatrics meeting, New Delhi, 11 December 1998.

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