What is immunometabolism?
Immunometabolism is a discipline concerned with the study of the energy needs of the immune system and how these are related to the functioning of the body’s defense systems. Research in this field has led to the understanding that the efficiency of the immune system, that is, the ability to neutralize potential dangers without harming one’s own body, is promoted by the maintenance of its energy balance, and particularly that of its cellular components. In other words, if the immune cells do not have enough energy to work well, the immune response may be ineffective (i.e., it does not neutralize the threat) or even harmful (e.g., an exaggerated inflammatory reaction may occur, generating oxidative processes that damage cell structure and function).
Energy imbalances in immune system cells may be due to suboptimal intakes of specific vitamins and trace elements, which is precisely why they are also called immune-modulating micronutrients.
What are immunomodulatory micronutrients?
Immunomodulatory micronutrients are many and diverse in nature. There are vitamins such as A, C, D, E, B6, B12 , and folates, but also minerals such as copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Each is essential and acts synergistically with the others to bring the defensive capabilities of innate and adaptive immunity mechanisms to their fullest extent while keeping the different types of immune responses (Th1 and Th2) in balance and containing collateral damage.
Where are immunomodulatory micronutrients found?
Immunomodulatory micronutrients are received through abalanced and varied diet. However, it is not always so easy to ensure optimal intake of all essential substances. In fact, some research has shown that even in the average Italian diet many of these are insufficient. This depends not only on a person’s habits, but also on soil depletion and industrial processes. Therefore, to make up for deficiencies, it is advisable to supplement the diet with specific nutraceuticalNutraceutical is a syncratic neologism from "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical" coined by Stephen de Felice in 1989. Nutraceuticals are those nutrients contained in foods that have beneficial effects on health, their effectiveness has been proven by clinical trials. products.
