Nutrition for Immune Deficiency

Malnutrition and an unbalanced diet are the most common causes of immune deficiency worldwide. HIV/AIDs and chemotherapy treatments are also weakening the immune system of a growing number of individuals each year. Poor nutrition compromises the lymphatic system, a system of nodes and channels carrying a clear fluid called lymph that produces immune cells. This makes the body more vulnerable to infection and disease. Therefore, wholesome, balanced nutrition is crucial to maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing and treating immune deficiency.

What is Immune Deficiency?

The immune system enables the body to fight off illness and infection on a daily basis. If it were not for the immune system, viruses, bacteria, microbes, parasites, and toxins that pose a potential threat to our health would have the upper hand.

Immune deficiency is a condition in which the body's defense system is compromised, causing it to be less resilient to foreign invading cells. Abnormal cells that develop inside the various body systems may also multiply and cause illness if the immune system is compromised.

How Can Nutrition Address Immune Deficiency?
Below are several nutrients to add to your diet to promote immune health.

• Vitamin C: Found naturally in fruits and vegetables including papaya, broccoli, and oranges. Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces and prevents the entry of viruses.

• Vitamin E: This antioxidant and immune booster stimulates the production of natural killer cells that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, antibody-producing immune cells that destroy bacteria. Supplementing with vitamin E may also reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging. Although vitamin E can be obtained from a diet rich in seeds, vegetable oils, and grains, supplements may be necessary to get enough vitamin E to boost your immune system.

• Carotenoid: Researchers believe that all the carotenoids working together improve immune function in a number of ways. Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as kills excess free radicals that accelerate aging. Beta carotene also protects against cancer by stimulating the immune cells which kill cancer cells. The body converts beta carotene to vitamin A, which itself has anticancer properties and immune-boosting functions. Caution: too much vitamin A can be toxic to the body, so it is better to get extra beta carotene from foods and let the body naturally determine how much vitamin A to produce.

• Bioflavonoids: Also called flavonoids, these are natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables that aid the immune system by protecting the cells of the body against environmental pollutants. A diet that contains at least six daily servings of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will help one get the bioflavonoids needed to boost the immune system. These may include grapes, berries, citrus, dark chocolate, and tea.

• Zinc: This mineral increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. It also increases killer cells that fight against cancer and helps white cells release more antibodies. Caution: too much zinc (more than 40 milligrams a day for an adult, 7 milligrams for a child 1-3 years, and 4 milligrams for children younger than 1 year old) in the form of supplements can inhibit immune function and cause other complications.

• Garlic: This powerful immune booster stimulates the growth of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production. It also acts as an antioxidant, reducing the build-up of free radicals in the bloodstream. Studies indicate garlic may also play a part in eliminating potential carcinogens and other toxic substances.

• Selenium: This mineral increases natural killer cells and mobilizes cancer-fighting cells. Great sources of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables (depending on the selenium content of the soil they're grown in), brown rice, egg yolks, white meat chicken, sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts, and lamb chops.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: The omega 3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (like salmon, tuna, and mackerel) act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria. Also, essential fatty acids protect the body against damage from over-reactions to infection.

Additionally, regular ingestion of fermented dairy products such as yogurt may enhance the immune defenses in our colon. Recent research results suggest that yogurts made with certain bacteria (probiotics) may have a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Finally, various herbs such as Echinacea and Astragalus are well documented for their antiviral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties, as well as their ability to strengthen and assist the immune system. These herbs have a tonic effect for the immune system and are often taken to prevent illness and assist recovery.

What is Balanced Nutrition?

The body requires energy to function properly. Carefully planned nutrition must provide a balance of energy and of nutrients.

• Carbohydrates - our main source of energy, consisting of complex carbohydrates and simple sugars
• Fats - one source of energy and important in relation to fat-soluble vitamins
• Minerals - inorganic elements that occur in the body and are critical to normal functioning
• Proteins - essential to growth and repair of muscle and other body tissues
• Roughage (fiber) - the fibrous indigestible portion of our diet from plants that is essential to health of the digestive system
• Vitamins - water and fat-soluble vitamins play important roles in many chemical processes in the body
• Water - essential to normal body functioning, and a means to distribute other nutrients throughout the body; 60-70% of the human body is made of water

Immune system maintenance requires a steady intake of energy in the form of all the nutrients. Those who under-eat run a greater risk of contracting infections. Dieters taking in less than 1200 calories per day can also suffer from reduced immune function.

Overeating may also compromise the immune system's ability to fight infection. Obesity is linked to an increased rate of infectious disease. Furthermore, obese people are more likely to develop coronary heart disease, which has been linked to alterations in immune function.

Additionally, highly fatty diets appear to depress the immune response, increasing the risk of infections. Reducing fat content in the diet can increase immune activity. Studies show this does not just affect infections but could also strengthen the type of immune cells, which can fight the growth of tumor cells.

Additional resources
The American Dietetic Association is the world's largest professional organization for food and nutrition professionals.

AskDrSears.com has additional information on feeding the immune system.