Can diet affect the immune system?

Nutrition Health Review,  Summer, 1990  

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Can Diet Affect the Immune System?

The past few years have brought to the surface a realization that food might have considerable effect upon fortifying the body against disease. Once relegated to "pipe dreams" of food faddists, the scientific community is beginning to embrace such concepts of nutrition with fervor.

Severe deficiencies of protein can inhibit functioning of the antibody and T-cell coordination in fighting invading germs. Most patients suffering from pneumonia, bacteremia, and wound and urinary infections also show evidence of malnutrition, Paul L. Cerrato a recent contributor to RN, the nursing professional journal, reported. "There's a growing body of evidence, however, that obesity and overeating can also impair competence of the immune system," he wrote. A study by the American Cancer Society recently linked cancers of the gallbladder, endometrium, cervix, ovary, breast, colon, and prostate to obesity.

Fat also affects the immune system, Dr. Cerrato notes. A deficiency of linoleic acid, which is found in soy, safflower and corn oils, causes lymphoid tissue to atrophy and depresses antibody production.

Some studies suggest, however, that excess intake of polyunsaturated fat found in soy, corn, and other vegetable oils may suppress the immune system, Dr. Cerrato explains.

Although vegetable fats are considered healthful and necessary, medical evidence has proven that too much fat of any kind can increase the risk of cancer of the colon, prostate, and breast.

The body responds to nutrients prudently: too little zinc suppressed the immune system, too much can cause serious organ damage. Vitamin A, so essential to live function and other organic needs, when used in huge quantities can trigger liver malfunctioning.

But not all nutrients in large amounts harm the immune system, Dr. Cerrato says. He favors substantial amounts of vitamin E (400 I.U.), in contrast to the Recommended Dietary Allowance of 10 I.U. He also refers to a report from Turkey that recorded recovery from burns by the use of 300 I.U. of vitamin E. The watchword seems to be moderation. Cerrato advises.

COPYRIGHT 1990 Vegetus Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group