Micronutrients and Nutrient Synergy in Immunodeficiency and Infectious Disease

 

Jariwalla RJ, Niedzwiecki A, Rath M
Botanical Medicine in Clinical Practice, eds. Preedy VR and Watson RR., Chapter 23, 2008

Abstract:
Good nutrition is vital to immune function and disease resistance. Conversely poor nutritional status or malnutrition can lower immunity and predispose to infection. Nutritional deficiencies are common in disorders of the immune system and in viral and bacterial infections. Experimental studies conducted to date with micronutrients have revealed beneficial effects with the potential to combat both immunodeficiency disease and microbial infection.

In the case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), studies have shown that the action of micronutrients can be targeted at at least four different levels of nutrient-host interactions, which include: (i) suppression of virus replication or activation in infected cells; (ii) modulation or enhancement of immune cell production or function to fight opportunistic infection; (iii) reduction in rate of disease progression; and (iv) lowering of AIDS-defining or associated physical symptoms. In the case of tuberculosis (TB), micronutrients have been found to be capable of reducing pathological symptoms and controlling the tubercle bacillus. With viral influenza, though evidence points to a role for micronutrients in improving immunity, blocking viral infectivity/multiplication and suppressing the secretion of cellular proteases required for virus spread. Here, we review the salient features of the scientific evidence for micronutrients and their specific combinations in modulating immunodeficiency and infectious diseases.