scholarly journals Potential Immunomodulatory Effects from Consumption of Nutrients in Whole Foods and Supplements on the Frequency and Course of Infection: Preliminary Results

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1157
Author(s):  
Ewelina Polak ◽  
Agnieszka Ewa Stępień ◽  
Olga Gol ◽  
Jacek Tabarkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Infection Frequency ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Mineral Supplementation ◽  
Vitamin D3 Supplementation ◽  
Vitamin And Mineral Supplementation ◽  
The Relationship

A diet rich in nutrients should be implemented in order to boost the immune system and prevent infections. To investigate which nutrients are commonly consumed, an anonymous survey was given to 120 individuals and their responses were collected. The respondents answered questions relating to their health status, and their consumption of nutrients and supplements that produce immunomodulating effects. The participants were also asked about any prior viral, bacterial or fungal infections experienced, and in particular, infection frequency, course, and duration. The data collected were subjected to a statistical analyses to assess the relationship between the reported frequency of infections and nutrients consumed including vitamins D3, A, C, E, selenium, zinc, iron, β-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids as well as live active probiotic bacteria. The findings show that vitamin and mineral supplementation did not positively affect the duration, frequency, or course of infections in the surveyed sample. An exception was vitamin D3 supplementation that was correlated to sporadic incidence of viral infections. Conversely, immunity was positively affected by consumption of natural nutrients contained in whole food (vitamin C, iron, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids), evidenced by lower incidences and milder courses of infection.

scholarly journals The Role of Micronutrients in Support of the Immune Response against Viral Infections

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Pecora ◽  
Federica Persico ◽  
Alberto Argentiero ◽  
Cosimo Neglia ◽  
Susanna Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Optimal Function ◽  
The Impact

Viral infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the importance of public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations in reducing their spread is well established. Furthermore, it is well known that proper nutrition can help support optimal immune function, reducing the impact of infections. Several vitamins and trace elements play an important role in supporting the cells of the immune system, thus increasing the resistance to infections. Other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, help sustain optimal function of the immune system. The main aim of this manuscript is to discuss of the potential role of micronutrients supplementation in supporting immunity, particularly against respiratory virus infections. Literature analysis showed that in vitro and observational studies, and clinical trials, highlight the important role of vitamins A, C, and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc in modulating the immune response. Supplementation with vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc appears to be a safe and low-cost way to support optimal function of the immune system, with the potential to reduce the risk and consequences of infection, including viral respiratory infections. Supplementation should be in addition to a healthy diet and fall within recommended upper safety limits set by scientific expert bodies. Therefore, implementing an optimal nutrition, with micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, might be a cost-effective, underestimated strategy to help reduce the burden of infectious diseases worldwide, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

scholarly journals Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cholesterol Have a Main Role in Antidepression Diet of Iranian Traditional Medicine

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mahdi Ahmadian-Attari ◽  
Ahmad Ali Noorbala ◽  
Alireza Khoshdel ◽  
Mohammad Kamalinejad ◽  
Arsia Taghva
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Nutritional Elements ◽  
Iranian Traditional Medicine ◽  
Main Components ◽  
The Relationship

Depression is one of the major health problems of our world. Recent studies have revealed the relationship between diet and depression. In Iranian traditional medicine, there is a therapeutic diet that is recommended in melancholic diseases like depression. One of the main components of this diet is meat. Meats are divided into 2 groups: recommended and abstinent. The aim of this study was to clarify the logic of this diet through comparing nutritional elements of the 2 groups with each other. For this purpose, prominent books on Iranian traditional medicine were searched for abstinent and recommended meats traditionally prescribed for depressed patients. The results of each group were compared with the other by using Mann-Whitney Test (SPSS version 16). The results showed that recommended meats contain higher amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids ( P = .01) especially omega-3 ( P = .03). Both groups contain high amounts of cholesterol. Iranian traditional medicine recommends consumption of meats that contains cholesterol with omega-3 fatty acids in depression.

scholarly journals Enriched Marine Oil Supplements Increase Peripheral Blood Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Concentrations and Reprogram Host Immune Responses

2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia R. Souza ◽  
Raquel M. Marques ◽  
Esteban A. Gomez ◽  
Romain A. Colas ◽  
Roberta De Matteis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Essential Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Marine Oil ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Dose Dependent Increase ◽  
Dose Dependent

Rationale: Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM—lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins) are produced via the enzymatic conversion of essential fatty acids, including the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and n-3 docosapentaenoic acid. These mediators exert potent leukocyte directed actions and control vascular inflammation. Supplementation of animals and humans with essential fatty acids, in particular omega-3 fatty acids, exerts protective actions reducing vascular and systemic inflammation. Of note, the mechanism(s) activated by these supplements in exerting their protective actions remain poorly understood. Objective: Given that essential fatty acids are precursors in the biosynthesises of SPM, the aim of the present study was to establish the relationship between supplementation and peripheral SPM concentrations. We also investigated the relationship between changes in plasma SPM concentrations and peripheral blood platelet and leukocyte responses. Methods and Results: Healthy volunteers were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study, and peripheral blood was collected at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours post administration of placebo or one of 3 doses of an enriched marine oil supplement. Assessment of plasma SPM concentrations using lipid mediator profiling demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent increase in peripheral blood SPM concentration. Supplementation also led to a regulation of peripheral blood cell responses. Here we found a dose-dependent increase in neutrophil and monocyte phagocytosis of bacteria and a decrease in the diurnal activation of leukocytes and platelets, as measured by a reduction in adhesion molecule expression. In addition, transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood cells demonstrated a marked change in transcript levels of immune and metabolic genes 24 hours post supplementation when compared with placebo. Conclusions: Together, these findings demonstrate that supplementation with an enriched marine oil leads to an increase in peripheral blood SPM concentrations and reprograms peripheral blood cells, indicating a role for SPM in mediating the immune-directed actions of this supplement. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT03347006.

scholarly journals Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip C. Calder ◽  
Anitra C. Carr ◽  
Adrian F. Gombart ◽  
Manfred Eggersdorfer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Low Cost Strategy ◽  
Tract Infections

Public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations help reduce the spread and impact of infections. Nevertheless, the global burden of infection is high, and additional measures are necessary. Acute respiratory tract infections, for example, were responsible for approximately 2.38 million deaths worldwide in 2016. The role nutrition plays in supporting the immune system is well-established. A wealth of mechanistic and clinical data show that vitamins, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; trace elements, including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid play important and complementary roles in supporting the immune system. Inadequate intake and status of these nutrients are widespread, leading to a decrease in resistance to infections and as a consequence an increase in disease burden. Against this background the following conclusions are made: (1) supplementation with the above micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids is a safe, effective, and low-cost strategy to help support optimal immune function; (2) supplementation above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but within recommended upper safety limits, for specific nutrients such as vitamins C and D is warranted; and (3) public health officials are encouraged to include nutritional strategies in their recommendations to improve public health.

scholarly journals Micronutrients, Phytochemicals and Mediterranean Diet: A Potential Protective Role against COVID-19 through Modulation of PAF Actions and Metabolism

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Detopoulou ◽  
Constantinos A. Demopoulos ◽  
Smaragdi Antonopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Platelet Activating Factor ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Official Sources ◽  
The Relationship

The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an emerging situation with high rates of morbidity and mortality, in the pathophysiology of which inflammation and thrombosis are implicated. The disease is directly connected to the nutritional status of patients and a well-balanced diet is recommended by official sources. Recently, the role of platelet activating factor (PAF) was suggested in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. In the present review several micronutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals), phytochemicals and Mediterranean diet compounds with potential anti-COVID activity are presented. We further underline that the well-known anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic actions of the investigated nutrients and/or holistic dietary schemes, such as the Mediterranean diet, are also mediated through PAF. In conclusion, there is no single food to prevent coronavirus Although the relationship between PAF and COVID-19 is not robust, a healthy diet containing PAF inhibitors may target both inflammation and thrombosis and prevent the deleterious effects of COVID-19. The next step is the experimental confirmation or not of the PAF-COVID-19 hypothesis.

Fish oil plus wheat germ oil have no prominent effect on homocysteine levels and nutritional indices in hemodialysis patients

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Hadeer Zakaria ◽  
Tarek M. Mostafa ◽  
Gamal A. El-Azab ◽  
Nagy AH Sayed-Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Fish Oil ◽  
Wheat Germ ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Nutritional Indices ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Wheat Germ Oil ◽  
Serum Homocysteine

Abstract. Background: Elevated homocysteine levels and malnutrition are frequently detected in hemodialysis patients and are believed to exacerbate cardiovascular comorbidities. Omega-3 fatty acids have been postulated to lower homocysteine levels by up-regulating metabolic enzymes and improving substrate availability for homocysteine degradation. Additionally, it has been suggested that prevention of folate depletion by vitamin E consumption decreases homocysteine levels. However, data on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids and/or vitamin E on homocysteine levels and nutritional status have been inconclusive. Therefore, this study was planned to examine the effect of combined supplementation of fish oil, as a source of omega-3 fatty acids, with wheat germ oil, as a source of vitamin E, on homocysteine and nutritional indices in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-six hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to two equally-sized groups; a supplemented group who received 3000 mg/day of fish oil [1053 mg omega-3 fatty acids] plus 300 mg/day of wheat germ oil [0.765 mg vitamin E], and a matched placebo group who received placebo capsules for 4 months. Serum homocysteine and different nutritional indices were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Twenty patients in each group completed the study. At the end of the study, there were no significant changes in homocysteine levels and in the nutritional indices neither in the supplemented nor in the placebo-control groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Fish oil and wheat germ oil combination did not produce significant effects on serum homocysteine levels and nutritional indices of hemodialysis patients.

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