Nutrition And Immunity

The main function of the immune system is to recognize foreign bodies (antigens) and to produce specific proteins (antibodies) that recognize and destroy them.

Food provides all the nutrients that the immune system needs to provide adequate protection for the body. Lack or reduced intake of even just one type of nutrient can cause serious immune deficiencies, even in apparently healthy people.

This type of malnutrition is observed in patients after a long illness and in the elderly and with a monotonous menu. Recent studies show that the development of viral infections in people who have some kind of nutritional deficiency is many times faster than in those who eat well.

Moreover, a deficiency of protein in food has been shown to lower the functions of the immune system. This is the number one cause of early infant mortality in third world countries.

Protein deficiency damages the immune system .

Malnutrition and infections make a vicious circle: malnutrition increases the risk of infections, infections suppress appetite and often cause upset and vomiting.

All these factors are the cause of nutritional deficiencies, which are followed by infections. Decreased levels of protein in the body are known to greatly reduce the immune response.

In childhood, this deficiency is expressed by frequent illness. For full immune protection, our body needs energy and amino acids, two things that are insufficient in inadequate nutrition. An association between malnutrition and decreased immune function has been shown.

Obesity suppresses immune function .

In recent years, obesity has become a socially significant disease and a serious problem. Studies have been done on whether and how obesity affects the immune system.

The results show that being overweight causes more frequent and prolonged infections, slower wound healing and a reduced immune response after vaccinations. The reasons for the reduced immune function in overweight people are currently unknown.

One theory is that the cells of the immune system (T and B-lymphocytes) reduce their proliferation (growth). Their growth is restored after weight loss. Short-term adherence to diet in overweight people has remarkable results - improves the protective function of immune cells, increases the serum concentration of antibodies.

These changes, which occur in the immune system in obesity, are important for subsequent diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes.

Essential fatty acids are important for immunity .

They are precursors of important signaling molecules called eicosanoids. They signal to the cells of the immune system when they are needed. Decreased fat intake with diet is the cause of decreased immune function.

On the other hand, higher amounts of eicosanoids imported through dietary supplements also lower immunity. Important for the immune response is the ratio of imported omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. We must be careful when consuming essential fatty acids.

Both shortages and surpluses are not good for our health. A normal diet should include 17g of omega-6 and 1.6g of omega-3 for an adult, healthy man and 12g of omega-6 and 1.1g of omega-3 for women.

Intake, through food, of vitamins and minerals is critical to a healthy immune system .

-    Vitamin A. Since its discovery, it is called the "vitamin that protects against infections" because it is needed to support the mucous surface of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract. These mucous membranes have a protective function. Vitamin A also supports the proliferation of immune cells.

-    Vitamin C and E. The protective function of immune cells is associated with the formation of reactive oxygen, which severely damages cells. Vitamins C and E have a powerful antioxidant effect that neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals.

-     Zinc . It is involved as an enzyme activator in the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. Decreased levels inevitably lead to immune deficiency. Excessive intake of zinc supplements can have the opposite effect.

-     Honey . This trace element is responsible for the synthesis of growth factor in the body, which is needed by immune cells to divide. Decreased levels of neutrophils in the blood is a classic sign of a lack of honey.

-     Iron . Acute iron deficiency results in impaired cellular function of T- and B-lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. Macrophages have their own iron reserve. In case of deficit they are not affected immediately.

-     Selenium . It is needed in minimal amounts for the body. Participates in the synthesis of a number of proteins, which are enzymes necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system.