Key Points
Diet and nutrition are important in the promotion and maintenance of good health throughout the entire life. A common denominator playing a role in the prevention of both chronic diseases and infections and hence important for maintaining health is a good functioning immune system. The competence of the immune system is an excellent marker of proper nutrition status and health and several changes in immune functions have been related to longevity. Preservation of a functionally youthful immune system throughout the years, including ensuring adequate vitamin and mineral status, is the best way to preserve health throughout life and to gain longevity accompanied by good quality of life.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
World Health Organization (2003) Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases (WHO Technical report series: 916). World Health Organization, Geneva
Fairfield K, Fletcher R (2002) Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: scientific review. JAMA 287(23):3116–3126
Fletcher R, Fairfield K (2002) Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: clinical applications. JAMA 287(23):3127–3129
Kant AK, Leitzmann MF, Park Y, Hollenbeck A, Schatzkin A (2009) Patterns of recommended dietary behaviors predict subsequent risk of mortality in a large cohort of men and women in the United States. J Nutr 139(7):1374–1380
Doll R, Peto R (1981) The causes of cancer: quantitative estimates of avoidable risks of cancer in the United States today. J Natl Cancer Inst 66(6):1191–1308
Wynder EL, Gori GB (1977) Contribution of the environment to cancer incidence: an epidemiologic exercise. J Natl Cancer Inst 58(4):825–832
Terry P, Giovannucci E, Michels KB et al (2001) Fruit, vegetables, dietary fiber, and risk of colorectal cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 93(7):525–533
Lin J, Zhang SM, Cook NR et al (2005) Dietary intakes of fruit, vegetables, and fiber, and risk of colorectal cancer in a prospective cohort of women (United States). Cancer Causes Control 16(3):225–233
van Duijnhoven FJ, Bueno-De-Mesquita HB, Ferrari P et al (2009) Fruit, vegetables, and colorectal cancer risk: the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 89(5):1441–1452
Amar J, Perez L, Burcelin R, Chamontin B (2006) Arteries, inflammation and insulin resistance. J Hypertens Suppl 24(5):S18–S20
De Caterina R, Massaro M (2005) Omega-3 fatty acids and the regulation of expression of endothelial pro-atherogenic and pro-inflammatory genes. J Membr Biol 206(2):103–116
Scrimshaw NS, Taylor CE, Gordon JE (1959) Interactions of nutrition and infection. Am J Med Sci 237(3):367–403
Scrimshaw NS (2003) Historical concepts of interactions, synergism and antagonism between nutrition and infection. J Nutr 133(1):316S–321S
Scrimshaw NS (2007) Prologue: historical introduction. Immunonutrition in health and disease. Br J Nutr 98(Suppl 1):S3–S4
Wayne SJ, Rhyne RL, Garry PJ, Goodwin JS (1990) Cell-mediated immunity as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in subjects over 60. J Gerontol 45(2):M45–M48
Aspinall R (2000) Longevity and the immune response. Biogerontology 1(3):273–278
De la Fuente M (2008) Role of neuroimmunomodulation in aging. Neuroimmunomodulation 15(4–6):213–223
Guayerbas N, Catalan M, Victor VM, Miquel J, De la Fuente M (2002) Relation of behaviour and macrophage function to life span in a murine model of premature immunosenescence. Behav Brain Res 134(1–2):41–48
Guayerbas N, De La Fuente M (2003) An impairment of phagocytic function is linked to a shorter life span in two strains of prematurely aging mice. Dev Comp Immunol 27(4):339–350
De la Fuente M, Hernanz A, Vallejo MC (2005) The immune system in the oxidative stress conditions of aging and hypertension: favorable effects of antioxidants and physical exercise. Antioxid Redox Signal 7(9–10):1356–1366
Viveros MP, Arranz L, Hernanz A, Miquel J, De la Fuente M (2007) A model of premature aging in mice based on altered stress-related behavioral response and immunosenescence. Neuroimmunomodulation 14(3–4):157–162
Calder PC, Jackson AA (2000) Undernutrition, infection and immune function. Nutr Res Rev 13(1):3–29
Field CJ, Johnson IR, Schley PD (2002) Nutrients and their role in host resistance to infection. J Leukoc Biol 71(1):16–32
Katona P, Katona-Apte J (2008) The interaction between nutrition and infection. Clin Infect Dis 46(10):1582–1588
Maggini S, Beveridge S, Sorbara PJP, Senatore G (2008) Feeding the immune system: the role of micronutrients in restoring resistance to infections. CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources 3(No. 098)
Hoyles L, Vulevic J (2008) Diet, immunity and functional foods. Adv Exp Med Biol 635:79–92
Calder PC, Kew S (2002) The immune system: a target for functional foods? Br J Nutr 88(Suppl 2):S165–S177
Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH (2007) Contribution of selected vitamins and trace elements to immune function. Ann Nutr Metab 51(4):301–323
Maggini S, Wintergerst ES, Beveridge S, Hornig DH (2007) Selected vitamins and trace elements support immune function by strengthening epithelial barriers and cellular and humoral immune responses. Br J Nutr 98(Suppl 1):S29–S35
Popkin BM (2001) The nutrition transition and obesity in the developing world. J Nutr 131(3):871S–873S
Chopra M, Galbraith S, Darnton-Hill I (2002) A global response to a global problem: the epidemic of over nutrition. Bull World Health Org 80:952–958
World Health Organization (2002) Active aging: a policy framework. World Health Organization, Geneva
Gerhard GT, Duell PB (1999) Homocysteine and atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol 10(5):417–428
Antoniades C, Antonopoulos AS, Tousoulis D, Marinou K, Stefanadis C (2009) Homocysteine and coronary atherosclerosis: from folate fortification to the recent clinical trials. Eur Heart J 30(1):6–15
Seshadri N, Robinson K (2000) Homocysteine, B vitamins, and coronary artery disease. Med Clin North Am 84(1):215–237, x
Malinow MR, Bostom AG, Krauss RM (1999) Homocyst(e)ine, diet, and cardiovascular diseases: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee, American Heart Association. Circulation 99(1):178–182
Mattson MP, Kruman II, Duan W (2002) Folic acid and homocysteine in age-related disease. Ageing Res Rev 1(1):95–111
Prins ND, Den Heijer T, Hofman A et al (2002) Homocysteine and cognitive function in the elderly: the Rotterdam Scan Study. Neurology 59(9):1375–1380
Ravaglia G, Forti P, Maioli F et al (2003) Homocysteine and cognitive function in healthy elderly community dwellers in Italy. Am J Clin Nutr 77(3):668–673
Seshadri S, Beiser A, Selhub J et al (2002) Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. N Engl J Med 346(7):476–483
Selhub J, Bagley LC, Miller J, Rosenberg IH (2000) B vitamins, homocysteine, and neurocognitive function in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr 71(2):614S–620S
Durga J, van Boxtel MP, Schouten EG et al (2007) Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomised, double blind, controlled trial. Lancet 369(9557):208–216
Institute of Medicine (2000) DRI Dietary reference intakes for vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and carotenoids – a report of the panel on dietary antioxidants and related compounds. National Academic Press, Washington, DC
Mayne ST (2003) Antioxidant nutrients and chronic disease: use of biomarkers of exposure and oxidative stress status in epidemiologic research. J Nutr 133(Suppl 3):933S–940S
Frei B (2004) Efficacy of dietary antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage and inhibit chronic disease. J Nutr 134(11):3196S–3198S
Rao AV, Rao LG (2007) Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res 55(3):207–216
Riccioni G, Mancini B, Di Ilio E, Bucciarelli T, D’Orazio N (2008) Protective effect of lycopene in cardiovascular disease. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 12(3):183–190
Huang HY, Caballero B, Chang S et al (2006) Multivitamin/mineral supplements and prevention of chronic disease. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) 139:1–117
Ellingsen I, Seljeflot I, Arnesen H, Tonstad S (2009) Vitamin C consumption is associated with less progression in carotid intima media thickness in elderly men: a 3-year intervention study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 19(1):8–14
De la Fuente M, Hernanz A, Guayerbas N, Victor VM, Arnalich F (2008) Vitamin E ingestion improves several immune functions in elderly men and women. Free Radic Res 42(3):272–280
Meydani M (2001) Nutrition interventions in aging and age-associated disease. Ann NY Acad Sci 928:226–235
Blumberg JB (2009) The antioxidant conundrum: where do we go from here? In: Linus Pauling Institute (ed) Fifth diet and optimum health conference. Conference Binder, Portland, OR, USA
Blumberg JB, Frei B (2007) Clinical trials of vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases may be fatally flawed. Commentary on “The relationship between dose of vitamin E and suppression of oxidative stress in humans”. Free Radic Biol Med 43(10):1374–1376
Roberts LJ II, Traber MG, Frei B (2009) Vitamins E and C in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer in men. Free Radic Biol Med 46(11):1558
Carr AC, Frei B (1999) Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 69(6):1086–1107
Frei B (2003) To C or not to C, that is the question! J Am Coll Cardiol 42(2):253–255
Kontush K, Schekatolina S (2004) Vitamin E in neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer’s disease. Ann NY Acad Sci 1031:249–262
Masaki KH, Losonczy KG, Izmirlian G et al (2000) Association of vitamin E and C supplement use with cognitive function and dementia in elderly men. Neurology 54(6):1265–1272
Brunekreef B, Holgate ST (2002) Air pollution and health. Lancet 360(9341):1233–1242
Romieu I, Castro-Giner F, Kunzli N, Sunyer J (2008) Air pollution, oxidative stress and dietary supplementation: a review. Eur Respir J 31(1):179–197
Grievink L, Smit HA, Brunekreef B (2000) Antioxidants and air pollution in relation to indicators of asthma and COPD: a review of the current evidence. Clin Exp Allergy 30(10):1344–1354
Romieu I, Sienra-Monge JJ, Ramirez-Aguilar M et al (2002) Antioxidant supplementation and lung functions among children with asthma exposed to high levels of air pollutants. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 166(5):703–709
Romieu I, Tellez-Rojo MM, Lazo M et al (2005) Omega-3 fatty acid prevents heart rate variability reductions associated with particulate matter. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 172(12):1534–1540
Grant WB, Holick MF (2005) Benefits and requirements of vitamin D for optimal health: a review. Altern Med Rev 10(2):94–111
Holick MF (1994) McCollum Award Lecture, 1994: vitamin D – new horizons for the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr 60(4):619–630
Holick MF (2002) Sunlight and vitamin D: both good for cardiovascular health. J Gen Intern Med 17(9):733–735
Holick MF (2003) Vitamin D: a millenium perspective. J Cell Biochem 88(2):296–307
Holick MF (2004) Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 80(Suppl 6):1678S–1688S
Holick MF (2004) Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Am J Clin Nutr 79(3):362–371
Holick MF (2005) Vitamin D: important for prevention of osteoporosis, cardiovascular heart disease, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers. South Med J 98(10):1024–1027
Holick MF (2005) The vitamin D epidemic and its health consequences. J Nutr 135(11): 2739S–2748S
Holick MF (2006) High prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and implications for health. Mayo Clin Proc 81(3):353–373
Holick MF (2007) Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 357(3):266–281
Holick MF (2008) The vitamin D deficiency pandemic and consequences for nonskeletal health: mechanisms of action. Mol Aspects Med 29(6):361–368
Holick MF (2008) Michael Holick, PhD, MD: vitamin D pioneer. Interview by Frank Lampe and Suzanne Snyder. Altern Ther Health Med 14(3):65–75
Mullin GE, Dobs A (2007) Vitamin D and its role in cancer and immunity: a prescription for sunlight. Nutr Clin Pract 22(3):305–322
Hypponen E, Laara E, Reunanen A, Jarvelin MR, Virtanen SM (2001) Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study. Lancet 358(9292):1500–1503
The EURODIAB Substudy 2 Study Group (1999) Vitamin D supplement in early childhood and risk for Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 42(1):51–54
Feghali CA, Wright TM (1997) Cytokines in acute and chronic inflammation. Front Biosci 2:d12–d26
Dinarello CA (2006) Interleukin 1 and interleukin 18 as mediators of inflammation and the aging process. Am J Clin Nutr 83(2):447S–455S
Kornman KS (2006) Interleukin 1 genetics, inflammatory mechanisms, and nutrigenetic opportunities to modulate diseases of aging. Am J Clin Nutr 83(2):475S–483S
Lemanske RF Jr (2002) Inflammation in childhood asthma and other wheezing disorders. Pediatrics 109(Suppl 2):368–372
Barbato A, Turato G, Baraldo S et al (2003) Airway inflammation in childhood asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 168(7):798–803
King TE Jr (1999) A new look at the pathophysiology of asthma. J Natl Med Assoc 91(Suppl 8):9S–15S
Dignass AU, Baumgart DC, Sturm A (2004) Review article: the aetiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease – immunology and repair mechanisms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 20(Suppl 4):9–17
De Giorgio R, Barbara G (2008) Is irritable bowel syndrome an inflammatory disorder? Curr Gastroenterol Rep 10(4):385–390
Bennett JL, Stuve O (2009) Update on inflammation, neurodegeneration, and immunoregulation in multiple sclerosis: therapeutic implications. Clin Neuropharmacol 32(3):121–132
Frischer JM, Bramow S, Dal-Bianco A et al (2009) The relation between inflammation and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis brains. Brain 132(Pt 5):1175–1189
Lassmann H (2008) Mechanisms of inflammation induced tissue injury in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 274(1–2):45–47
Feldmann M, Maini RN (1999) The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 38(Suppl 2):3–7
Lipsky PE, Davis LS, Cush JJ, Oppenheimer-Marks N (1989) The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Springer Semin Immunopathol 11(2):123–162
Christodoulou C, Choy EH (2006) Joint inflammation and cytokine inhibition in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Med 6(1):13–19
Banning M (2005) The principles of inflammation in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Nurs 14(5):277–283
Nauta AJ, Engels F, Knippels LM, Garssen J, Nijkamp FP, Redegeld FA (2008) Mechanisms of allergy and asthma. Eur J Pharmacol 585(2–3):354–360
Bochner BS, Busse WW (2005) Allergy and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 115(5):953–959
Eldika N, Yerra L, Chi DS, Krishnaswamy G (2004) Atherosclerosis as an inflammatory disease: implications for therapy. Front Biosci 9:2764–2777
Liuzzo G (2001) Atherosclerosis: an inflammatory disease. Rays 26(4):221–230
Ross R (1999) Atherosclerosis – an inflammatory disease. N Engl J Med 340(2):115–126
Ferrara AR (2008) Inflammatory breast cancer: challenges and developments. Radiol Technol 80(1):49M–60M, quiz 61M–63M
Mann JR, Backlund MG, DuBois RN (2005) Mechanisms of disease: inflammatory mediators and cancer prevention. Nat Clin Pract Oncol 2(4):202–210
Calder PC (2006) n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation, and inflammatory diseases. Am J Clin Nutr 83(Suppl 6):1505S–1519S
Sen CK (1997) Nutritional biochemistry of cellular glutathione. J Nutr Biochem 8(12):660–672
Grimble RF (1998) Modification of inflammatory aspects of immune function by nutrients. Nutr Res Rev 18(7):1297–1317
Rayman M (2000) The importance of selenium to human health. Lancet 356(9225):233–241
Semba RD, Tang AM (1999) Micronutrients and the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Br J Nutr 81(3):181–189
Albers R, Antoine JM, Bourdet-Sicard R et al (2005) Markers to measure immunomodulation in human nutrition intervention studies. Br J Nutr 94(3):452–481
Delves PJ, Roitt IM (2000) The immune system. Second of two parts. N Engl J Med 343(2):108–117
Delves PJ, Roitt IM (2000) The immune system. First of two parts. N Engl J Med 343(1):37–49
Parkin J, Cohen B (2001) An overview of the immune system. Lancet 357(9270):1777–1789
World Health Organization (2008) The global burden of disease: 2004 update. World Health Organization, Geneva
Khanna M, Kumar P, Choudhary K, Kumar B, Vijayan VK (2008) Emerging influenza virus: a global threat. J Biosci 33(4):475–482
Maines TR, Szretter KJ, Perrone L et al (2008) Pathogenesis of emerging avian influenza viruses in mammals and the host innate immune response. Immunol Rev 225:68–84
Kuiken T, Taubenberger JK (2008) Pathology of human influenza revisited. Vaccine 26(Suppl 4):D59–D66
Michaelis M, Doerr HW, Cinatl J Jr (2009) Of chickens and men: avian influenza in humans. Curr Mol Med 9(2):131–151
Pappaioanou M (2009) Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus: cause of the next pandemic? Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 32(4):287–300
Chowell G, Bertozzi SM, Colchero MA et al (2009) Severe respiratory disease concurrent with the circulation of H1N1 influenza. N Engl J Med 361(7):674–679
Perez-Padilla R, de la Rosa-Zamboni D, Ponce de Leon S et al (2009) Pneumonia and respiratory failure from swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) in Mexico. N Engl J Med 361(7):680–689
Desselberger U (2000) Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. J Infect 40(1):3–15
Daszak P, Cunningham AA, Hyatt AD (2000) Emerging infectious diseases of wildlife – threats to biodiversity and human health. Science 287(5452):443–449
Binder S, Levitt AM, Sacks JJ, Hughes JM (1999) Emerging infectious diseases: public health issues for the 21st century. Science 284(5418):1311–1313
World Health Organization (2002) WHO global burden of disease (GBD) 2002 estimates (revised). World Health Organization, Geneva
Breman JG, Alilio MS, Mills A (2004) Conquering the intolerable burden of malaria: what’s new, what’s needed: a summary. Am J Trop Med Hyg 71(Suppl 2):1–15
Brown KH, Peerson JM, Baker SK, Hess SY (2009) Preventive zinc supplementation among infants, preschoolers, and older prepubertal children. Food Nutr Bull 30(Suppl 1):S12–S40
D’Souza RM, D’Souza R (2002) Vitamin A for the treatment of children with measles – a systematic review. J Trop Pediatr 48(6):323–327
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases (1993) Vitamin A treatment of measles. Pediatrics 91(5):1014–1015
Semba RD (2004) Vitamin A. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
World Food Programme (2004) HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis: addressing co-infection. World Food Programme, Rome
World Health Organization (2006) Neglected tropical diseases: hidden successes, emerging opportunities. World Health Organization, Geneva
Korenromp EL, Williams BG, de Vlas SJ et al (2005) Malaria attributable to the HIV-1 epidemic, sub-Saharan Africa. Emerg Infect Dis 11(9):1410–1419
Krause RM (1994) Dynamics of emergence. J Infect Dis 170(2):265–271
Vijaykrishna D, Bahl J, Riley S et al (2008) Evolutionary dynamics and emergence of panzootic H5N1 influenza viruses. PLoS Pathog 4(9):e1000161
Berger A (2000) Th1 and Th2 responses: what are they? BMJ 321(7258):424
Kidd P (2003) Th1/Th2 balance: the hypothesis, its limitations, and implications for health and disease. Altern Med Rev 8(3):223–246
Knight JA (2000) Review: free radicals, antioxidants, and the immune system. Ann Clin Lab Sci 30(2):145–158
Meydani SN, Wu D, Santos MS, Hayek MG (1995) Antioxidants and immune response in aged persons: overview of present evidence. Am J Clin Nutr 62(Suppl 6):1462S–1476S
Meydani SN, Santos MS, Wu D, Hayek MG (1998) Antioxidant modulation of cytokines and their biologic function in the aged. Z Ernahrungswiss 37(Suppl 1):35–42
Knight JA (2000) The biochemistry of aging. Adv Clin Chem 35:1–62
De la Fuente M (2002) Effects of antioxidants on immune system ageing. Eur J Clin Nutr 56(Suppl 3):S5–S8
Traber MG, Atkinson J (2007) Vitamin E, antioxidant and nothing more. Free Radic Biol Med 43(1):4–15
Institute of Medicine (1997) DRI dietary reference intakes for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride. National Academic Press, Washington, DC
Institute of Medicine (1998) DRI Dietary reference intakes for thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6, folate, vitamin B 12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. National Academic Press, Washington, DC
Institute of Medicine (2001) DRI dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. National Academic Press, Washington, DC
Huskisson E, Maggini S, Ruf M (2007) The role of vitamins and minerals in energy metabolism and well-being. J Int Med Res 35(3):277–289
Huskisson E, Maggini S, Ruf M (2007) The influence of micronutrients on cognitive function and performance. J Int Med Res 35(1):1–19
Enwonwu CO, Ritchie CS (2007) Nutrition and inflammatory markers. J Am Dent Assoc 138(1):70–73
Blomhoff HK, Smeland EB, Erikstein B et al (1992) Vitamin A is a key regulator for cell growth, cytokine production, and differentiation in normal B cells. J Biol Chem 267(33):23988–23992
Dennert G, Lotan R (1978) Effects of retinoic acid on the immune system: stimulation of T killer cell induction. Eur J Immunol 8(1):23–29
Ertesvag A, Engedal N, Naderi S, Blomhoff HK (2002) Retinoic acid stimulates the cell cycle machinery in normal T cells: involvement of retinoic acid receptor-mediated IL-2 secretion. J Immunol 169(10):5555–5563
Lemire JM, Adams JS, Sakai R, Jordan SC (1984) 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses proliferation and immunoglobulin production by normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Clin Invest 74(2):657–661
Mora JR, Iwata M, von Andrian UH (2008) Vitamin effects on the immune system: vitamins A and D take centre stage. Nat Rev Immunol 8(9):685–698
Rigby WF, Stacy T, Fanger MW (1984) Inhibition of T lymphocyte mitogenesis by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol). J Clin Invest 74(4):1451–1455
Beck MA (2007) Selenium and vitamin E status: impact on viral pathogenicity. J Nutr 137(5):1338–1340
Beck MA, Kolbeck PC, Rohr LH, Shi Q, Morris VC, Levander OA (1994) Vitamin E deficiency intensifies the myocardial injury of coxsackievirus B3 infection of mice. J Nutr 124(3):345–358
Beck MA, Kolbeck PC, Rohr LH, Shi Q, Morris VC, Levander OA (1994) Benign human enterovirus becomes virulent in selenium-deficient mice. J Med Virol 43(2):166–170
Beck MA, Kolbeck PC, Shi Q, Rohr LH, Morris VC, Levander OA (1994) Increased virulence of a human enterovirus (coxsackievirus B3) in selenium-deficient mice. J Infect Dis 170(2):351–357
Beck MA, Shi Q, Morris VC, Levander OA (1995) Rapid genomic evolution of a non-virulent coxsackievirus B3 in selenium-deficient mice results in selection of identical virulent isolates. Nat Med 1(5):433–436
Smith AD, Botero S, Levander OA (2008) Copper deficiency increases the virulence of amyocarditic and myocarditic strains of coxsackievirus B3 in mice. J Nutr 138(5):849–855
Holick MF (1981) The cutaneous photosynthesis of previtamin D3: a unique photoendocrine system. J Invest Dermatol 77(1):51–58
Holick MF (1985) The photobiology of vitamin D and its consequences for humans. Ann NY Acad Sci 453:1–13
DeLuca HF (2008) Evolution of our understanding of vitamin D. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S73–S87
Cavalier E, Delanaye P, Chapelle JP, Souberbielle JC (2009) Vitamin D: current status and perspectives. Clin Chem Lab Med 47(2):120–127
Holick MF, Chen TC (2008) Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences. Am J Clin Nutr 87(4):1080S–1086S
Heaney RP (2008) Vitamin D: criteria for safety and efficacy. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S178–S181
Prentice A (2008) Vitamin D deficiency: a global perspective. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S153–S164
Bandeira F, Griz L, Dreyer P, Eufrazino C, Bandeira C, Freese E (2006) Vitamin D deficiency: a global perspective. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol 50(4):640–646
Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Dietrich T, Dawson-Hughes B (2006) Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr 84(1):18–28
Malabanan A, Veronikis IE, Holick MF (1998) Redefining vitamin D insufficiency. Lancet 351(9105):805–806
Thomas MK, Lloyd-Jones DM, Thadhani RI et al (1998) Hypovitaminosis D in medical inpatients. N Engl J Med 338(12):777–783
Chapuy MC, Preziosi P, Maamer M et al (1997) Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in an adult normal population. Osteoporos Int 7(5):439–443
Holick MF, Siris ES, Binkley N et al (2005) Prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among postmenopausal North American women receiving osteoporosis therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90(6):3215–3224
Vieth R, Bischoff-Ferrari H, Boucher BJ et al (2007) The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective. Am J Clin Nutr 85(3):649–650
Holick MF (2008) Vitamin D: a D-lightful health perspective. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S182–S194
Nagpal S, Na S, Rathnachalam R (2005) Noncalcemic actions of vitamin D receptor ligands. Endocr Rev 26(5):662–687
Christakos S, Dhawan P, Benn B et al (2007) Vitamin D: molecular mechanism of action. Ann NY Acad Sci 1116:340–348
Griffin MD, Xing N, Kumar R (2003) Vitamin D and its analogs as regulators of immune activation and antigen presentation. Annu Rev Nutr 23:117–145
Cantorna MT, Zhu Y, Froicu M, Wittke A (2004) Vitamin D status, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and the immune system. Am J Clin Nutr 80(Suppl 6):1717S–1720S
Cantorna MT (2006) Vitamin D and its role in immunology: multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 92(1):60–64
Adams JS, Liu PT, Chun R, Modlin RL, Hewison M (2007) Vitamin D in defense of the human immune response. Ann NY Acad Sci 1117:94–105
Tavera-Mendoza LE, White JH (2007) Cell defenses and the sunshine vitamin. Sci Am 297(5):62–65, 68–70, 72
Hayes CE, Nashold FE, Spach KM, Pedersen LB (2003) The immunological functions of the vitamin D endocrine system. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 49(2):277–300
Adams JS, Hewison M (2008) Unexpected actions of vitamin D: new perspectives on the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab 4(2):80–90
Cohen MS, Mesler DE, Snipes RG, Gray TK (1986) 1, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 activates secretion of hydrogen peroxide by human monocytes. J Immunol 136(3):1049–1053
Roux-Lombard P, Cruchaud A, Dayer JM (1986) Effect of interferon-gamma and 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on superoxide anion, prostaglandins E2, and mononuclear cell factor production by U937 cells. Cell Immunol 97(2):286–296
Fagan DL, Prehn JL, Adams JS, Jordan SC (1991) The human myelomonocytic cell line U-937 as a model for studying alterations in steroid-induced monokine gene expression: marked enhancement of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated interleukin-1 beta messenger RNA levels by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Mol Endocrinol 5(2):179–186
Prehn JL, Fagan DL, Jordan SC, Adams JS (1992) Potentiation of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Blood 80(11):2811–2816
Bhalla AK, Amento EP, Clemens TL, Holick MF, Krane SM (1983) Specific high-affinity receptors for 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: presence in monocytes and induction in T lymphocytes following activation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 57(6):1308–1310
Rigby WF, Noelle RJ, Krause K, Fanger MW (1985) The effects of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on human T lymphocyte activation and proliferation: a cell cycle analysis. J Immunol 135(4):2279–2286
Chocano-Bedoya P, Ronnenberg AG (2009) Vitamin D and tuberculosis. Nutr Rev 67(5):289–293
Wang TT, Nestel FP, Bourdeau V et al (2004) Cutting edge: 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a direct inducer of antimicrobial peptide gene expression. J Immunol 173(5):2909–2912
Gombart AF, Borregaard N, Koeffler HP (2005) Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene is a direct target of the vitamin D receptor and is strongly up-regulated in myeloid cells by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. FASEB J 19(9):1067–1077
Liu PT, Stenger S, Li H et al (2006) Toll-like receptor triggering of a vitamin D-mediated human antimicrobial response. Science 311(5768):1770–1773
Hiemstra PS (2007) The role of epithelial beta-defensins and cathelicidins in host defense of the lung. Exp Lung Res 33(10):537–542
Schutte BC, McCray PB Jr (2002) [beta]-defensins in lung host defense. Annu Rev Physiol 64:709–748
Beisswenger C, Bals R (2005) Antimicrobial peptides in lung inflammation. Chem Immunol Allergy 86:55–71
Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC et al (2006) Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect 134(6):1129–1140
Yamshchikov AV, Desai NS, Blumberg HM, Ziegler TR, Tangpricha V (2009) Vitamin D for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Endocr Pract 15(5):438–449
Cantorna MT (2008) Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis: an update. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S135–S138
Cutolo M, Otsa K, Paolino S, Yprus M, Veldi T, Seriolo B (2009) Vitamin D involvement in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythaematosus. Ann Rheum Dis 68(3):446–447
Leventis P, Patel S (2008) Clinical aspects of vitamin D in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 47(11):1617–1621
Cutolo M, Otsa K, Uprus M, Paolino S, Seriolo B (2007) Vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmun Rev 7(1):59–64
Ranganathan P (2009) Genetics of bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis – role of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms. Rheumatology (Oxford) 48(4):342–346
Lee JH, O’Keefe JH, Bell D, Hensrud DD, Holick MF (2008) Vitamin D deficiency an important, common, and easily treatable cardiovascular risk factor? J Am Coll Cardiol 52(24):1949–1956
Michos ED, Melamed ML (2008) Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 11(1):7–12
Perez-Lopez FR (2009) Vitamin D metabolism and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 62(3):248–262
Michos ED (2009) Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Future Cardiol 5(1):15–18
Penckofer S, Kouba J, Wallis DE, Emanuele MA (2008) Vitamin D and diabetes: let the sunshine in. Diabetes Educ 34(6):939–940, 942,944 passim
Mohr SB (2009) A brief history of vitamin d and cancer prevention. Ann Epidemiol 19(2):79–83
Tuohimaa P (2008) Vitamin D, aging and cancer. Nutr Rev 66(10 Suppl 2):S147–S152
Pawelec G (2006) Immunity and ageing in man. Exp Gerontol 41(12):1239–1242
Pawelec G, Larbi A (2008) Immunity and ageing in man: Annual Review 2006/2007. Exp Gerontol 43(1):34–38
Puerto M, Guayerbas N, Alvarez P, De la Fuente M (2005) Modulation of neuropeptide Y and norepinephrine on several leucocyte functions in adult, old and very old mice. J Neuroimmunol 165(1–2):33–40
De la Fuente M (2008) Nutrition and immunity in the elderly. Proc Nutr Soc 67(OEC):E6
Alonso-Fernandez P, Puerto M, Mate I, Ribera JM, de la Fuente M (2008) Neutrophils of centenarians show function levels similar to those of young adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 56(12):2244–2251
Alvarado C, Alvarez P, Jimenez L, De la Fuente M (2005) Improvement of leukocyte functions in young prematurely aging mice after a 5-week ingestion of a diet supplemented with biscuits enriched in antioxidants. Antioxid Redox Signal 7(9–10):1203–1210
Alvarado C, Alvarez P, Jimenez L, De la Fuente M (2006) Oxidative stress in leukocytes from young prematurely aging mice is reversed by supplementation with biscuits rich in antioxidants. Dev Comp Immunol 30(12):1168–1180
Alvarado C, Alvarez P, Puerto M, Gausseres N, Jimenez L, De la Fuente M (2006) Dietary supplementation with antioxidants improves functions and decreases oxidative stress of leukocytes from prematurely aging mice. Nutrition 22(7–8):767–777
Alvarez P, Alvarado C, Mathieu F, Jimenez L, De la Fuente M (2006) Diet supplementation for 5 weeks with polyphenol-rich cereals improves several functions and the redox state of mouse leucocytes. Eur J Nutr 45(8):428–438
Alvarez P, Alvarado C, Puerto M, Schlumberger A, Jimenez L, De la Fuente M (2006) Improvement of leukocyte functions in prematurely aging mice after five weeks of diet supplementation with polyphenol-rich cereals. Nutrition 22(9):913–921
Baeza I, de Castro NM, Alvarado C et al (2007) Improvement of immune cell functions in aged mice treated for five weeks with soybean isoflavones. Ann NY Acad Sci 1100:497–504
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Maggini, S. (2010). Vitamins and Minerals: Contribution to Immune Function and Health. In: Watson, R., Zibadi, S., Preedy, V. (eds) Dietary Components and Immune Function. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-061-8_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-061-8_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-060-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-061-8
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)