Nutritional modulation of immune function and nutrigenomics

Abstract

During the last few decades, essential nutrients as well as vitamins, minerals and trace elements have been discovered and dietary guidelines established, mainly with the aim of preventing deficiencies and supporting body growth, development and health. During the last 50 years, numerous studies have contributed to the understanding of the important role of the gut. It became clear that the gut is powerful immune organ and that the function of the intestinal wall exceeds mere digestion and absorption of nutrients. Research in the nutritional field shifted to the role of nutrition on immunity and modulation of immune response. The capacity of nutrients to modulate the actions of immune system and to affect clinical outcome has became an important issue in clinical practice and public health. Important immunonutrients are: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), glutamine, arginine, S-amino acids, nucleotides, and antioxidants. Nutrition as a science in the 21st century, in addition to maintaining emphasis on a balanced diet, has developed the concept of optimised individual nutrition, based on a better understanding of the interactions between genes and nutrition. These interactions include: polymorphism and interindividual variations in response to diet, dietary alteration and modulation of gene expression, and dietary effects on the development of various pathological conditions. The role of nutrigenomics, the new scientific discipline in nutrition, is to study the effects of foods and food constituents on gene expression. The purpose of the present article is to review current knowledge on the impact of intestinal contents and immune function with a description of currently known imunonutrients – and their potential to modulate the immune system, as well as genetic response.