Nutrition and Immunity

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Abstract
Nutrition is a critical determinant of immunocompetence and risk of illness. The critical role of nutrition in modulation of immune responses is based on physiological considerations. In humans, isolated vitamin A deficiency seldom occurs, and it is usually associated with protein energy malnutrition. Excessive intake of nutrients and vitamins impairs immune response and may be considered a type of malnutrition. The extent of immunological impairment depends not only on the severity of nutritional deficiency but also on the presence of infection. The immune system is an important link in the chain of host defense mechanisms and protects the host from the microbial invasion. An incompetent immune system is one of the factors that add to the vulnerability of the deficient individual to infection. Most research concerning the role of iron in immunity has been concentrated in the area of cell-mediated immune response, and several approaches have been used to study cell-mediated immunity in iron deficiency.

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