Influence of food restriction on mammalian immunity

SummaryThere is often an imbalance between the intake of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Oxidative damage and the production of reactive oxygen species by various immune cells follow during the ageing process. Caloric restriction induces a transcriptional response of the genes known to inhibit oxidative stress, tumourigenesis, splicing mRNA and inflammation. On the other hand, calorie malnutrition causes the depression of many immune functions. The accessibility of nutritional factors seems to be an important cause of circannual rhythms. Lowered food intake as an adverse effect of chemotherapy may be why the immune system is altered. Nutrients influence several diseases including diabetes, obesity, inflammatory immune dysfunctions, and neuropathies as well as behavioural characteristics and life span.