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Contribution of selected vitamins and trace elements to immune function

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Silvia Maggini at Bayer
Silvia Maggini
E S Wintergerst
E S Wintergerst
E S Wintergerst
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S Beveridge
S Beveridge
S Beveridge
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DH Hornig
DH Hornig
DH Hornig
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1
st
International Immunonutrition Workshop, Valencia, 3–5 October 2007, Valencia, Spain
Contribution of selected vitamins and trace elements to immune function
S. Maggini
1
, E. S. Wintergerst
2
, S. Beveridge
1
and D. Hornig
3
1
Bayer Consumer Care, Basel, Switzerland,
2
Bayer Diabetes Care, Basel, Switzerland and
3
Bayer Diabetes Care,
Reinach, Switzerland
The immune system requires essential nutrients to function efficiently. Inadequate intake and status of vitamins and trace elements may
lead to suppressed immunity, which predisposes to infections and aggravates undernutrition. Available data indicate a role for vitamins A,
B
6
,B
12
, C, D and E and folate and for the trace elements Se, Zn, Cu and Fe in the immune response. Evidence has accumulated that in
human subjects these nutrients selectively influence the immune response, induce dysregulation of a coordinated host response to infec-
tions in the case of deficiency and oversupply, and that deficiency may impact on the virulence of otherwise harmless pathogens. Thus,
micronutrients are required at appropriate intakes for the immune system to function optimally and contribute to the body’s natural
defences on three levels by supporting the physical barriers (skin and mucosa), cellular and humoral immunity. Vitamins A, C and E and
the trace element Zn assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. The vitamins A, B
6
,B
12
, C, D and E and folic acid and the trace
elements Fe, Zn, Cu and Se work in synergy to support the protective activities of immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, except
vitamin C and Fe, are essential for antibody production.
The table summarises the most important roles of selected vitamins and trace elements in immune function
(1–3)
.
Micronutrient Main roles in the immune system
Vitamin A Normal differentiation of epithelial tissue and gene expression
Important role both in humoral antibody response and cell-mediated immunity
Deficiency impairs innate immunity, induces inflammation, potentiates existing inflammatory conditions and impairs ability
to defend against extracellular pathogens
Supplementation is of benefit in reducing the morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases (especially children)
Vitamin D Potent immune system modulator when metabolized to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, is involved in cell proliferation and enhances
innate immunity by increasing the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages
Deficiency correlates with higher susceptibility to infections as a result of impaired localized innate immunity and defects in antigen
specific cellular immune response
Supplementation together with a high-Ca diet inhibits progression of autoimmune disorders
Vitamin E Optimizes and enhances immune response (T-helper (Th) 1 response)
Supplementation in healthy adults increases T-cell proliferation, improves the CD4 + :CD8 + , and decreases indices of oxidative stress
Supplementation of elderly individuals improves overall immune function
Vitamins B
6
and B
12
and folic acid
Interfere with immune function through involvement in nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis
Maintain Th1 immune response (vitamin B
6
), innate immunity (natural killer (NK) cell activity; folate) and act as
immunomodulatory for cellular immunity, especially with effects on cytotoxic cells (NK; CD8 + T lymphocytes; vitamin B
12
)
Vitamin C Maintains redox integrity of cells and protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during respiratory burst and inflammatory response
Stimulates leucocyte functions (neutrophil, monocytes movement)
Role in antimicrobial and NK cell activities, lymphocyte proliferation, chemotaxis and delayed-type hypersensitivity response
Decreases duration and severity of common cold
Se Antioxidant essential for optimal immune response, influencing both the innate and the acquired immunity
Deficiency impairs antibody production and causes viruses to undergo mutations to more virulent forms
Supplementation normalizes age-related decline in immune response
Zn Influences both innate and acquired immunity, supports Th1 response, helps to maintain skin and mucosal integrity
Deficiency leads to thymic atrophy, decreased cell-mediated cytotoxicity, helper T-cell and NK cell activities
Cu Part of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, a key enzyme in the defence against ROS
Maintains intracellular antioxidant balance, suggesting an important role in inflammatory response
Adequate intake supports a Th1 response and both deficiency and oversupply modulate the immune response
Fe Essential for cell differentiation and growth, component of enzymes critical for functioning of immune cells
Involved in the regulation of cytokine production and action
Insufficient intake of micronutrients occurs in individuals with eating disorders, in smokers (both active and passive), in individuals
with chronic alcohol abuse, in patients with certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly. With aging a variety of
changes are observed in the immune system, which translate to less-effective innate and adaptive immune responses and increase
susceptibility to infections. Overall, inadequate intake and status of vitamins A, B
6
,B
12
, C, D and E and folate and of the trace elements
Se, Zn, Cu and Fe may lead to suppressed immunity, which predisposes to infections and aggravates malnutrition. Thus, supplementation
with a combination of these selected micronutrients can support the body’s natural defence system by enhancing all three levels of
immunity: epithelial barriers; cellular immunity; antibody production.
1. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S & Hornig DH (2006) Ann Nutr Met 50, 85–94.
2. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S & Hornig DH (2007) Ann Nutr Met 51, 301–323.
3. Maggini S, Wintergerst ES, Beveridge S & Hornig DH (2007) Br J Nutr 98, Suppl. 1, S29–S35.
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society (2008), 67 (OCE), E84 doi:10.1017/S0029665108006939
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... This indicates the effect of malnutrition on CL clinical forms. This is align with studies showing malnutrition exacerbates disease's severity (30,34). A correlation between low weight, hypoalbuminemia, and MCL has been shown is reported (17). ...
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... The iron content of one ounce of sunflower seeds accounts for approximately 10% of the daily value. Iron is essential for transporting oxygen to the lungs, blood, and cells, and a deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infections (Wintergerst et al., 2007). These findings align with those of Holliday and Phillips (2001), who highlighted sunflower seeds as one of the best complete foods, easy to incorporate into diets and a great nutritional source. ...
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Selected vitamins and trace elements support immune function by strengthening epithelial barriers and cellular and humoral immune responses
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2007
Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting innate, T cell mediated and adaptive antibody responses, leading to dysregulation of the balanced host response. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, with increased morbidity and mortality. In turn, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Insufficient intake of micronutrients occurs in people with eating disorders, in smokers (active and passive), in individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, in certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly. This paper summarises the roles of selected vitamins and trace elements in immune function. Micronutrients contribute to the body's natural defences on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity and antibody production. Vitamins A, C, E and the trace element zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. The vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and folic acid and the trace elements iron, zinc, copper and selenium work in synergy to support the protective activities of the immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for antibody production. Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and trace elements may lead to suppressed immunity, which predisposes to infections and aggravates malnutrition. Therefore, supplementation with these selected micronutrients can support the body's natural defence system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.
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Contribution of Selected Vitamins and Trace Elements to Immune Function
Article
  • Feb 2007
  • ANN NUTR METAB
Adequate intakes of vitamins and trace elements are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immune functions by affecting the innate T-cell-mediated immune response and adaptive antibody response, and leads to dysregulation of the balanced host response. This increases the susceptibility to infections, with increased morbidity and mortality. In turn, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Insufficient intake of micronutrients occurs in people with eating disorders, in smokers (both active and passive), in individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, in patients with certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly. With aging a variety of changes are observed in the immune system, which translate into less effective innate and adaptive immune responses and increased susceptibility to infections. Antioxidant vitamins and trace elements (vitamins C, E, selenium, copper, and zinc) counteract potential damage caused by reactive oxygen species to cellular tissues and modulate immune cell function through regulation of redox-sensitive transcription factors and affect production of cytokines and prostaglandins. Adequate intake of vitamins B(6), folate, B(12), C, E, and of selenium, zinc, copper, and iron supports a Th1 cytokine-mediated immune response with sufficient production of proinflammatory cytokines, which maintains an effective immune response and avoids a shift to an anti-inflammatory Th2 cell-mediated immune response and an increased risk of extracellular infections. Supplementation with these micronutrients reverses the Th2 cell-mediated immune response to a proinflammatory Th1 cytokine-regulated response with enhanced innate immunity. Vitamins A and D play important roles in both cell-mediated and humoral antibody response and support a Th2-mediated anti-inflammatory cytokine profile. Vitamin A deficiency impairs both innate immunity (mucosal epithelial regeneration) and adaptive immune response to infection resulting in an impaired ability to counteract extracellular pathogens. Vitamin D deficiency is correlated with a higher susceptibility to infections due to impaired localized innate immunity and defects in antigen-specific cellular immune response. Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to suppressed immunity, which predisposes to infections and aggravates malnutrition.
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  • Jan 2007
  • 301-323
  • E S Wintergerst
  • S Maggini
  • D H Hornig
Wintergerst ES, Maggini S & Hornig DH (2007) Ann Nutr Met 51, 301-323.
  • Jan 2007
  • 29-35
  • S Maggini
  • Es Wintergerst
  • S Beveridge
  • Dh Hornig
Maggini S, Wintergerst ES, Beveridge S & Hornig DH (2007) Br J Nutr 98, Suppl. 1, S29–S35.