Let’s Talk Health and Nutrition with Dr. H

  Factors that influence the immune system: Optimal immune functioning is influenced by nutritional adequacy, as well as other factors such as levels of stress and stressors, age, and overall health and medical status.  Both macronutrients and micronutrients are important and vital to optimal immune function. Both malnutrition (over and under-nutrition) as well as micronutrient deficiencies result in a compromised immune system. Role of Nutrition in the Immune Response: Optimal regulation of the immune response is dependent on the immune cells receiving nutrients in adequate concentrations.  Macronutrients such as some amino acids like L-arginine and L-tryptophan contained in proteins, fatty acids as well as cholesterol have been associated with immune activity. The micronutrients-vitamins and minerals-also play very important roles in immune function. Nutritional health enables the immune system to be effective in initiating appropriate responses in reaction to pathogens...