Immunity And Dietary Recommendations

Author: Victoria Aly Time for reading: ~2 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

What is the relationship between dieting and immunity? Immunity And Dietary Recommendations

The immune system is a kind of complex of interconnected tissues, cells, and molecules, whose function is to provide continuous protection to the body. Impairment of its functions is possible in various congenital or acquired immune diseases, taking drugs with immunosuppressive effect, the presence of stress, some metabolic diseases, malnutrition, and others.

The immune system provides the so-called specific protection of the body. There is also a non-specific type of protection, which is determined by the skin, the presence of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice, enzymes in saliva, and others. The skin acts as a mechanical barrier against various microorganisms. Hydrochloric acid in gastric juice and the enzyme lysozyme in saliva have a bactericidal effect.

Nutrition can affect the body's immune system .

It is important that it be varied and in moderation. Adherence to strict and restrictive diets, as well as obesity, can lead to impaired immune function.

By following a diet, not only energy intake but also protein intake is significantly reduced. Protein molecules are one of the main building blocks of many cells with immune function, which explains the relationship between reduced protein intake with food and immunity. The link between famine and the spread of various epidemics has been established in the past.

Weight gain and obesity are also related to the body's immune system. It has been found that obese patients struggle more difficult and for a long time with a number of infections. The reason is the reduced immune response of T- and B-lymphocytes.

Increased intake of saturated fatty acids affects the function of so-called natural killer cells (non-specific immune cells that fight both pathogenic microorganisms and tumor cells). In contrast, the intake of unsaturated fatty acids has an anti-inflammatory effect and is important in many autoimmune diseases.

Rich in saturated fatty acids are fried foods, semi-finished products, fatty meats - pork, pork, and others. At the same time, some types of fish are rich in unsaturated fatty acids - salmon, mackerel, herring, as well as linseed oil, saffron, and others.

Vitamins A, E, and C, as well as some trace elements - zinc, copper, selenium, is also considered to increase the body's immune system. The listed vitamins are important both in the fight against free radicals due to their antioxidant properties and with their participation in the activation of certain types of immune cells.

Last but not least is the intake of probiotics or the consumption of foods that contain beneficial bacteria. Such are food products that have undergone a fermentation process - sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, pickles, olives, and others. The role of the so-called "beneficial bacteria" contained in them is to strengthen the immune function of the intestine.

A number of bio- and synthetic immunostimulants are known.

At the same time, when it is impossible to get some vitamins and minerals with food, various types of food supplements are offered, which ensure their daily recommended intake. 3195

Immunity And Dietary Recommendations

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Nutrition can affect the body's immune system .

A number of bio- and synthetic immunostimulants are known.

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