- Foods contain various substances that can control the physiological functions of the body, and modulating immune responses is one of the most important functions of foods.
- Immune functions are indispensable for defending the body against attack by pathogens or cancer cells, and thus play an important role in the maintenance of health.
- However, the immune functions are disturbed by malnutrition, aging, physical and mental stress or undesirable lifestyle.
- Therefore, the ingestion of foods with immune-modulating activities is considered an efficient way to prevent immune functions from declining and reduce the risk of infection or cancer.
INTESTINAL TRANSPORT OF FOODS:
- Indigestible macro molecules such as rigid proteins are incorporated into Peyer's patches (PPs) developing throughout the intestine.
- PPs are organized lymphoid tissues that are covered by a particular epithelial layer, the follicle-associated envelope.
- It is composed of both follicles rich in B cells and an interfollicular area filled with antigen-presenting cells and T cells
The intestine and liver are important organs in terms of supply of nutrition and self-defense
and these organs are equipped with specialized immune systems.
A huge number of IgA-producing cells and intraepithelial T lymphocytes with unique physiological functions are colonized in the gut and play a pivotal role in defense against pathogens.
Moreover, natural killer (NK) T cells are enriched in liver and highly effective in the eradication of tumor cells.
- It is of great interest that some substances in foods can open tight junctions between Intra-epithelial cells.
REGULATION OF IMMUNE FUNCTIONS BY FOODS:
- Components of probiotics are recognized by cell surface receptors such as the mannose receptor and Toll-like receptors
- vitamins and minerals prevent the oxidation of cell membranes and affect gene expression.
- Furthermore, fatty acids modulate immune functions by stabilizing the cell membrane and regulate the transcription of genes.
| FOODS | SOURCES | RDA | FUNCTIONS |
| Vitamin-A | papaya,carrot,mango,pumpkin,sweet potato | 150 µg/day | *Regulation of helper t cells *affects the differentiation of epithelial cells *inhibits interferon-𝜸 production by T-cells *Stimulation of antibody-mediated immune responses |
| Vitamin-C | amla,guava,lemon,orange,grapefruit | 90mg/day | *prevents the production of reactive oxygen species *Reduces DNA damage in immune cells *Down regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines |
| Vitamin-E | vegetable oils,olive oil, almonds,sunflower seeds | 14mg/day | *Antioxidant *Anti-inflammatory *Stabilizes the membrane of immune cells *Enhances the binding of antigen-presenting cells & T-cells |
| Selenium | nuts and seeds and sea foods | 75µg/day | * Prevent the oxidation of lipids in the cell membrane *Reduces oxidative stress |
| Zinc | mushroom, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, spinach,nuts,asparagus | 12mg/day | *Stimulation of cell-mediated immune response |
| Iron | dates,beetroot,fig,dry fruits, brown rice | 12-18 mg/day | *Aids in Non-specific immunity *First line of defense |
| Glutamine | nuts and seeds | 5g/day | *Acts as a nutrient for immune cells *Lowers the incidence of infection |
| Arginine | nuts and seeds,lentils & dark chocolate | 3g/day | *Acts as a substrate for nitric oxide synthesis *Improves cell-mediated immunity |
| Probiotics | yogurt,soy milk,legumes | --- | Enhances Gut Immunity |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | walnut, flax seeds, kidney beans, spinach, basil leaves,winter squash,fish,avocados | 250-500 mg/day | Acts as a substrate for eicosanoid production,resolvin & protectin |
"A HEALTHY OUTSIDE STARTS FROM INSIDE"
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