Nutrition And Immunity

Question 1

How much total body protein can be loss in sepsis

Answer 1

20%

Question 2

What are the micronutrients used in immune responses and their effects on metabolic processes

Answer 2

Folate = nucleotide synthesis

Zinc = RNA/DNA polymerase

Selenium = glutathione peroxidase

Iron = respiratory burst

Question 3

What is the effects of malnutrition and obesity on immunity

Answer 3

Obesity and malnutrition increases incidence of infections and inflammatory responses

Question 4

How does caloric restriction affect immunity

Answer 4

Moderate calorie restriction without entering malnutrition actually is beneficial

• decreases availability of excess dietary iron
• increased T-cell function for idiopathic reasons

Question 5

Nutritionally acquired immune deficiency syndrome (NAIDS)

Answer 5

Most common form of immune deficiency globally

Leads to:

• increased longevity of illness
• more severe disease episodes
• more complications during the disease production

Question 6

How do infections increase malnutrition?

Answer 6

Diminished appetite

Reduced nutrient absorption

Increases nutrient losses

Alterations in metabolic rate (increases it)

Increases insulin resistance of the body

Net protein loss

Hyperglycemia

Question 7

What nutrients are involved in epithelial barrier maintenanc?

Answer 7

Vitamin’s ACE

Zinc

Question 8

What nutrients are involved in cellular immunity and antibody immunity

Answer 8

Vitamin A
Vitamin B6 
Vitamin B12 
Vitamin C (cellular immunity only) 
Vitamin D 
Vitamin E 
Folic Acid 
Iron (cellular immunity only)
Zinc 
Copper 
Selenium

Question 9

Glutamine specific effects on the immune system?

Answer 9

Supplies 35% of energy in immune cells

Specific actions:

• B-cell transformation to plasma cells
• phagocytic ability and killing capacity of macrophages
• regulates T-cell proliferation

is non-essential in normal states, but is conditionally essential in illness/injury states

Question 10

Iron effect on the immune system

Answer 10

most common nutrient deficiency worldwide and deficiencies leads to decreased inflammatory responses

Specific effects:

• increases activity in respiratory burst
• increases ability of PMNs to kill bacteria/fungi
• increases NK cell activities
• decreases in lymphocyte response to antigens/mitogens

since most microbes can use iron as a source of fuel, correcting iron deficiencies should NOT be done in active infections/illness

Question 11

How do bacteria viruses and Protozoa use iron?

Answer 11

Bacteria
- overall growth requires iron

Viruses

• viral replication employs iron-dependent pathways
• some viruses use iron to invade cells
• HIV progresses faster in high iron states
• TB risk is higher in iron deficiency patients

Protozoa
- malaria uses iron deficiency states to help increase protection

Question 12

Zinc effects on the immune system

Answer 12

Functions to

• increase clonal expansion of T and B cells
• increases NK cell cytotoxicity
• promotes phagocytosis
• increases complement activity
• increases proper wound healing

can be taken in supplementation, however be careful of toxicity doses

if taken early, good evidence shows it prevents rhinovirus adherence and replication

Question 13

Selenium effects on the immune system

Answer 13

Most heavily tied to increase in glutathione production and recycling
- helps remove/protect against hydrogen peroxide and ROS

Functions:

• decreases ROS levels
• lessens damage to macrophages and PMNs during infection fighting
• increases lymphocyte activation
• increases cytokine production
• increases glutathione peroxidase activity

Question 14

Vitamin A effects on the immune system

Answer 14

essential for maintaining epidermal and mucosal integrity

Doesn’t prevent infections but can enhance recovery time

Functions:

• increase cilia, microvilli and mucus action
• increases number and function of PMNs /macrophages and NK cells
• increases lymphocyte functions and reduced homing to the gut

Question 15

Vitamin D effects on immune system

Answer 15

is believed to enhance innate immunity, but inhibits adaptive immunity

Effects

• increase antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis of macrophages
• decreases differentiation and increases apoptosis of TH17/1
• inhibits dendritic cell functions
• increases levels of Treg/TH2 cells
• inhibits B cells
• decreases overall inflammation

high levels are believed to worsen SLE/MS/TB and periodontal infections

Question 16

Vitamin E effects on the immune system

Answer 16

Antioxidant that increases IL-2 levels (inflammation)

Also increases B and NK cell functions

Is believed to reverse some age-related decline in immune function

does have an increase risk of prostate cancer in men if chronically high

Question 17

Vitamin C effects on immune system

Answer 17

Is the #1 antioxidant in the body

Effects:

• protects against ROS damage from phagocytes and neutrophils
• DOESN’T inhibit bacterialcidal activity thou
• DOESN’T protect against colds, but could many be shorten duration (not if symptoms are already present

Question 18

Echinacea (elk root) effects on the immune system

Answer 18

Effects:

• increases activation of WBCs
• increases cytokine production
• increases alternative complement pathway
• inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes

does not effect cold duration or severity

cross allergic reaction with ragweed

Question 19

Ginseng effects on immune system

Answer 19

are steroid glycosides

In conclusion research, but is believed to stabilize physiological processes and promote homeostasis

Question 20

Garlic effects on the immune system

Answer 20

Strong evidence for the following:

• increases anti-inflammatory cytokines
• increases phagocytosis
• decreases allergic airway inflammation
• reduces damage from ROS