Diet Immunity and Inflammation

• Author : Philip C. Calder,Parveen Yaqoob
• Publisher : Woodhead Publishing
• Release : 14 October 2013

This book provides an overview of key research on diets and the human immune responses. After an introductory section on the fundamentals of immunity and inflammation, following chapters review the effects of different food constituents.

• Author : Philip C Calder,Parveen Yaqoob
• Publisher : Elsevier
• Release : 30 September 2013

Although inflammation is one of the body’s first responses to infection, overactive immune responses can cause chronic inflammatory diseases. Long-term low-grade inflammation has also been identified as a risk factor for other diseases. Diet, immunity and inflammation provides a comprehensive introduction to immunity and inflammation and the role that diet and nutrition play with regard to this key bodily response. Part one, an introductory section, discusses innate and adaptive immunity, mucosal immunity in a healthy gut and chronic inflammatory

• Author : F. Guarner
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

The human gut is the natural habitat for a diverse and dynamic microbial ecosystem having an important impact on health and disease. Unabsorbed portions of food are a major nutritional source for these microbial communities. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that are selectively fermented in the gut resulting in specific changes in the composition or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus conferring benefits upon host health. Inulin-type fructans and galacto-oligosaccharides are the most extensively studied prebiotics. They are fermented in

• Author : F. Ioannone,C. Miglio,A Raguzzini,M. Serafini
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

It has been suggested that flavonoids, secondary metabolites widely present in the vegetable kingdom, are involved in the role played by plant foods in disease prevention. The immune-modulating action of flavonoids in vitro suggests a specific role in modulating cytokines and transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). However, the majority of studies have been conducted with non-physiological concentrations of flavonoids and without considering the nature of the metabolites found in the bloodstream. In humans, the number

• Author : A.C. Ross,K.H. Restori
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

Vitamin A is required in the diet of all vertebrates, and is metabolized intracellularly to retinoic acid (RA), which is well known as a regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. RA activates nuclear retinoid receptors and regulates a wide variety of genes. This chapter first discusses vitamin A nutrition and metabolism, and then how inflammation affects the metabolism of vitamin A compounds. Clinically, RA and several analogs are used in the treatment of skin disorders. Vitamin A deficiency is a

• Author : N.W. Solomons
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

It has been over 50years since Scrimshaw, Taylor and Gordon set out the bases for interpretation of synergistic and antagonistic interactions between malnutrition and infection. Any contemporary update must recognize emerging diseases such as HIV and re-emerging diseases such as tuberculosis. Genetic and epigenetic concepts and techniques have merged with the advance of technology in basic and applied immunity. Not only nutrient deficiencies, but also their excesses – including obesity and overweight – alter host defenses and risk of infections. Issues of

• Author : Z. Huang,P.R. China,P.R. Hoffmann
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that is important for various aspects of human health, including optimal immune responses. This chapter summarizes evidence to date regarding the effects of dietary Se on allergies and asthma, aging immunity, clinical sepsis, immunity against various pathogens and other types of inflammation and immune responses. Also presented is information pertaining to mechanisms by which Se influences inflammation and immunity, including roles for individual selenoproteins.

• Author : S.R. Kuvibidila,S.B. Baliga,L.C. Chandra,C.L. French
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

Iron is required for many biochemical reactions of immune and non-immune cells, and pathogens. Iron deficiency remains a worldwide public health problem in children and women of childbearing age. Iron overload is common in individuals with genetic disorders of proteins involved in iron metabolism. The influence of iron homeostasis on the immune function and risk of infection has been recognized since the 1970s. Recent discoveries have shed light on the various proteins that modulate iron metabolism and their role in

• Author : M.A.R. Vinolo,H.G. Rodrigues,R.T. Nachbar,R. Curi
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the main metabolic products of anaerobic bacterial fermentation in the intestine. In addition to their important role as fuel for intestinal epithelial cells, SCFAs modulate different processes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and in other tissues such as adipose and immune tissues. In this chapter, we first present a brief description of basic aspects of SCFA physiology, such as production, absorption and metabolism. The main mechanisms by which SCFAs act on cells and the effects

• Author : P. Yaqoob
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

Animal studies suggest that olive oil modulates immune function in vivo and ex vivo when fed at high levels. In contrast, consumption of an olive oil-rich diet by humans does not appear to bring about a general suppression of immune cell function, but may modulate levels of cellular and circulating inflammatory biomarkers. The lack of a clear effect of olive oil in humans may be attributable to the higher level of monounsaturated fat used in the animal studies. There is

• Author : P. Brandtzaeg
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

The intestinal immune system has generated two arms of adaptive anti-inflammatory defense which normally preserve the epithelial barrier: (i) immune exclusion performed by secretory IgA (SIgA) (and SIgM) antibodies to control surface colonization of micro-organisms and dampen penetration of potentially harmful antigens; and (ii) suppressive mechanisms to avoid hypersensitivity to innocuous antigens, particularly food proteins and the commensal microbiota. The latter phenomenon (‘oral tolerance’) largely depends on regulatory T (Treg) cells induced in mesenteric lymph nodes to which mucosal dendritic

• Author : N.xC. Harvey,M.T. Cantorna
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

This chapter discusses the role of vitamin D in the regulation of the immune system. The epidemiology, biology and physiology of vitamin D in humans is described, followed by a detailed exposition of the actions of 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D on immune cells. The chapter concludes that vitamin D appears to be important in immune function, but that at this time there is insufficient evidence on which to base clinical recommendations regarding supplementation.

• Author : G. Wu
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

L-Arginine (Arg) was traditionally classified as a nutritionally non-essential amino acid for infant and adult humans; however, it is now known that besides serving as a building block for protein, it plays an essential role in the functions of the immune system. Arg is a physiological substrate for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which is a key mediator of immune responses. Additionally, emerging evidence shows that Arg exerts a regulatory role in signal transduction pathways involving mammalian (or mechanistic)

• Author : F. Trejo,Y. Sanz
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

The intestinal microbiota and some probiotics are known to interact with the host’s immune system, thereby influencing both health status and disease risk. These interactions contribute to immune response activation against dangerous stimuli, as well as to the activation of regulatory mechanisms that avoid uncontrolled inflammation and chronic pathologies. To date, most of the applications of probiotics with immunomodulatory traits have been focused on prevention and treatment of different clinical conditions, including infections, chronic inflammatory bowel disorders and allergies.

• Author : L. Müller,G. Pawelec,E. Derhovanessian
• Publisher : Elsevier Inc. Chapters
• Release : 30 September 2013

This chapter deals with the overall age-associated changes observed in human immunity, beginning with an overview of the components of the immune system. We then summarize the effects of age on these different components, discussing the problems faced by investigators studying ageing in long-lived outbred species like humans. We describe the limitations inherent in cross-sectional studies together with some possible solutions to these problems, such as longitudinal studies. We then discuss the possible reasons for these age-associated changes, starting with