The Double Role of Nutrients in
Immunity
Gheorghe GIURGIU1,
Manole COJOCARU2
1 Deniplant-Aide Sante
Medical Center, Biomedicine, Bucharest, Romania, deniplant@gmail.com;
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5449-2712
2 Titu Maiorescu University, Faculty of Medicine, Bucharest,
Romania, cojocaru.manole@gmail.com
Abstract: Background Nutrients are the
substances found in food which drive biological activity, and are essential for
the human body. Dietary nutrients may be converted into metabolites by
intestinal microbes that serve as biologically active molecules affecting
regulatory functions in the host.
Objectives
To demonstrate role of nutrients as functional foods in the management of
immunity.
Materials
and methods This includes the role of macronutrients, micronutrients, and the
gut microbiome in mediating immunological effects. Nutritional modulation of
the immune system has applications within the clinical setting, but can also
have a role in healthy populations, acting to reduce or delay the onset of
immune-mediated chronic diseases. Ongoing research in this field will
ultimately lead to a better understanding of the role of diet and nutrients in
immune function
Results
Probiotics may restore the composition of the gut microbiome and introduce
beneficial functions to gut microbial communities, resulting in amelioration or
prevention of gut inflammation and other intestinal or systemic disease
phenotypes. A well-functioning immune system is critical for survival. The
immune system must be constantly alert, monitoring for signs of invasion or
danger. Cells of the immune system must be able to distinguish self from
non-self and furthermore discriminate between non-self
molecules which are harmful (e.g., those from pathogens) and innocuous
non-self molecules (e.g., from food).
Conclusion
This presentation describes how diet and intestinal luminal conversion by gut
microbes play a role in immune-mediated chronic diseases.
Key
words: nutrients, gut
microbiota, immunomodulation
DOI
https://doi.org/10.56082/annalsarscibio.2023.1.118
