The immune system requires an adequate supply of nutrients, although current dietary recommendations may not account for optimal immune function in healthy adults. Nutrient inadequacies due to the growing influence of the western diet pose a risk for immune dysfunction. This review aims to determine the beneficial effects of supplementing: dietary fats, nutrients that modulate gut microbiota, and specific micronutrients, on systemic immune functions (concentrations of plasma cytokines, antibodies and acute phase proteins) during health and acute inflammatory conditions, including COVID-19. We discussed micronutrients (selenium, zinc and vitamin D) with compelling evidence supporting immunomodulatory properties. Additionally, the synergistic effects of physical activity and dietary interventions on systemic immune markers are explored. Briefly, evidence suggests that dietary consumption of monounsaturated (oleic and palmitoleic acids) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids) promotes anti-inflammatory properties. Food sources (fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, omega-3) and patterns (Mediterranean diet) increase the production of short-chain fatty acids, beneficially altering gut microbiota composition, which subsequently enhances the immunomodulatory properties of circulating immune cells. A positive synergistic role of nutrient supplementation (omega-3 and fiber) and physical activity on circulating C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels have been observed. Lastly, omega-3 supplementation during COVID-19 infection may reduce circulating C-reactive protein and pro-inflammatory cytokines and improves pain and fatigue symptoms. This review highlights recent findings that support the beneficial role of specific nutrients in promoting systemic immune function in healthy adults. However, to establish specific dietary recommendations to support optimal immune function, more research is required.
Objectives To determine if relationships exist between maternal concentrations of hepcidin and serum ferritin (SF) throughout pregnancy and infant SF concentrations at 3 months of age. Methods Pregnant women from Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta, Canada were recruited into the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort study from 2009–2012. Blood samples were collected from 358 women at each trimester of pregnancy and their infants at 3 months of age. Maternal hepcidin concentrations were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. Maternal and infant SF concentrations were measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays. General linear models and multiple regression models, adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity, pre-pregnancy body-mass-index, and inflammation via direct acyclic graphs, were performed by SAS−9.4. Results In the maternal cohort, 63.4% had suboptimal iron stores (SF < 15 ng/mL) during late gestation. Infant SF concentrations were ordered into quartiles arranged by maternal SF and hepcidin concentrations (Q1 being the highest). During the second trimester, women with hepcidin concentrations in Q3 (4.8–9.9 ng/mL) had infants with significantly higher concentrations of SF at 3 months [β = 39.6 ng/mL (11.6,67.6); p = 0.013], compared to those in Q1, Q2, and Q4. Infant SF concentrations were significantly higher when second trimester maternal SF concentrations were in Q2 (31.5–46.5 ng/mL) [β = 33.1 ng/mL (5.6,60.5); p = 0.018] and Q3 (18.0–31.4 ng/mL) [β = 30.8 ng/mL (3.5,58.2); p = 0.027] compared to Q1 and Q4. There were no relationships between maternal SF and hepcidin concentrations during the first or third trimesters and infant SF concentrations. A positive relationship was found between maternal hepcidin and SF concentrations during mid-gestation (P < 0.0001), which may partly explain why higher infant SF concentrations were similarly associated with moderate maternal concentrations of both iron biomarkers. Conclusions Second trimester maternal concentrations of SF (18.0–46.5 ng/mL) and hepcidin (4.8–9.9 ng/mL) were associated with higher SF concentrations in 3-month-old infants. Future studies are needed to explore the complex relationships between maternal iron status and infant iron status during the first year of life. Funding Sources APrON study by Alberta Innovates, CIHR; J. Evanchuk by CIHR, WCHRI.
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