The DOI matches its Crossref record.
Nutrition and the immune system from birth to old age
Abstract
For millennia, food has been at the center of social events, in times of joy and in times of sorrow. Protein-energy malnutrition is associated with a significant impairment of cell-mediated immunity, phagocyte function, complement system, secretory immunoglobulin A antibody concentrations, and cytokine production. Deficiency of single nutrients also results in altered immune response: this is observed even when the deficiency state is relatively mild. Of the micronutrients, zinc, selenium, iron, copper, vitamins A, C, E and B(6), and folic acid have important influences on immune responses. Overnutrition and obesity also reduce immunity. Low-birth-weight infants have a prolonged impairment of cell-mediated immunity that can be partly restored by providing extra amounts of dietary zinc. In the elderly, impaired immunity can be enhanced by modest amounts of a combination of micronutrients. These findings have considerable practical and public health significance.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“most older people over the age of 60–65 years (although not all) experience some immune dysregulation that makes them less able to respond to immune challenges [33,34].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“There is a loss of lymphoid tissue, particularly in the thymus, with increasing age [25], and the ability to respond to pathogens, antigens and mitogens decreases [5,33].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“Furthermore, this age group is more likely to suffer prolonged infections, severe symptoms and secondary complications [33].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“The development, maintenance and optional functioning of immune cells is dependent on adequate nutrition, evident at all stages of life [4,5,33,49,69].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“However, micronutrient deficiencies are common in older people; it has been estimated that 35% of those aged 50 years or older in Europe, USA and Canada have a demonstrable deficiency of one or more micronutrients [33].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“In low-birthweight infants, supplementary zinc can partly restore cell-mediated immunity [33].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“Multiple micronutrient supplementation in older people may also reduce antibiotic usage and lead to higher post-vaccination immune responses [33].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“Supplementation with modest amounts of a combination of micronutrients can have beneficial effects [33].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
In the citing paper
“Impaired immunity in older people, often caused by multiple micronutrient deficiencies, is evident in the increased incidence and severity of common infections that affect the upper and lower respiratory tracts, as well as the urinary and genital tracts [33,116].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [33]
Citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 301–368 of 368
Avaliação in vivo da qualidade protéica da soja Geneticamente modificada
Giora, C. G. B. (2004) · doi:10.11606/d.9.2004.tde-13042015-123050
“…SanGiovanni, 1997), e é comumente associada com prejuízo da resposta imune, particularmente com a diminuição da atividade mediadora celular, da função fagocitária, da produção de citocinas, da resposta secretória de anticorpos, da afinidade de anticorpos e do Sistema dc Complemento (Chandra, 2002).”
InfluentialADENOSINA DEAMINASA: SU RESPUESTA ANTE DESEQUILIBRIOS NUTRICIONALES
Feliú, M. S., Perris, P. D., & Slobodianik, N. (2008) · Americanae (AECID Library) · doi:10.4067/s0717-75182008000300006
Early ICU energy deficit: Is it a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia?
Abdallah, A., Gharraf, H. S., & Okasha, H. A. S. (2013) · Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis · doi:10.1016/j.ejcdt.2013.11.012
“The results of several investigations showed associations between nutritional status and infection occurrence in old age related to chronic PEM and micronutrient insufficiencies [1,12,24].”
BackgroundDiet Quality Affects Allergic Peritonitis in Mice
Chadzińska, M., Broniek, B., & Radwan, J. (2011) · Folia Biologica · doi:10.3409/fb59_1-2.07-11
As conseqüências das deficiências nutricionais, associadas à imunossenescência, na saúde do idoso
Malafaia, G. (2008) · Arquivos Brasileiros de Ciências da Saúde · doi:10.7322/abcs.v33i3.153
Taillière, B., Hennequin, V., Jebabli, M., et al. (2015) · Nutrition Clinique et Métabolisme · doi:10.1016/j.nupar.2015.09.003
Relation of nutritional status, immunity, hemoglobinopathy and falciparum malaria infection.
Nyakeriga, A. M. (2005) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Avaliação fenotípica dos linfócitos T em um modelo animal de deficiência de ferro
de Araujo, F. S. (2006) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/d.60.2006.tde-17052007-094115
Langius, J. A. E. (2015) · Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Correlation between nutritional status and immunity for orphanage.
El-Wahab, G. I. A. (2015)
The Role of Vitamin A in Health of Infants and Vitamin A Status Assessment Methods
Fujita, M., & Rendon, M. (2012) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-62703-224-7_31
Nutrition and the Host Response to Infection and Injury
(2010) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/ebk1439813621-c1
Meng, X. (2010) · eSpace (Curtin University)
Protein-Energy Malnutrition as a Determinant for Immuno-Senescence
Larbi, A., Lesourd, B., & Fülöp, T. (2009) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-9063-9_65
Déficit énergétique aigu et infections acquises en réanimation
Faisy, C., & Sütterlin, L. (2016) · Réanimation · doi:10.1007/s13546-016-1185-4
“[1−3] mais aussi les diarrhées d’origine bactérienne ou virale, la tuberculose, la rougeole et l’infection à Helicobacter pylori [2,3].”
BackgroundAbout the factor which has an influence on physical strength in young women
Seura, T., & Miyajima, I. (2013) · Journal for the Integrated Study of Dietary Habits · doi:10.2740/jisdh.23.217
Ishida, R., Kusaba, T., Takahashi, K., et al. (2012) · Nihon Toseki Igakkai Zasshi · doi:10.4009/jsdt.45.421
Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Immune Response in Goats
Thakur, L., Nayak, S., Nayak, A., et al. (2015) · Journal of Immunology and Immunopathology · doi:10.5958/0973-9149.2015.00017.9
Veiing av pasienter ved innkomst i en indremedisinsk avdleing
Nordbø, J., Ask, A., Jørgensen, J., et al. (2010) · NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives
Montenegro, E. J. N., Roberta, P., Hirakawa, T., et al. (2005)
Immunology of VaccinesConsideration of the Neonate as a Target for Vaccination
Foote, M. R., & Estes, D. M. (2009) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-369408-9.00005-6
Approaches to Immunotoxicology in Human Population Studies
Dallaire, F., Dewailly, √., & Ayotte, P. (2005) · Informa Healthcare eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781420036817.ch16
Meeting food hygiene challenges in older people: Mobilising health assets for health promotion
Wythe, H. (2016) · UWE Research Repository (UWE Bristol)
Raouf, D. A., Rahman, T. A., Amin, G. E. E.-D., et al. (2014) · Egyptian Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology · doi:10.21608/ejgg.2014.5338
Allergy and Immunological Disorders
Lewis, C. C., Henderson, C. J., & Assa’ad, A. (2017) · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199398911.003.0028
Husni, N. A., Rochmah, W., & Atmodjo, S. D. (2012)
Participação da corticosterona na inflamação aguda pulmonar de ratos com baixo peso ao nascer.
Gil, N. L. (2017) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/d.42.2017.tde-10052017-153556
Korystina, E., & Frolova, E. V. (2013) · Russian Family Doctor
de Melo, J. F. (2012) · Americanae (AECID Library)
PRIMARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN IN TUZLA COUNTY
Čolić-Hadžić, B., Mladina, N., Hadžić, D., et al. (2008) · Acta Medica Saliniana · doi:10.5457/ams.v37i2.8
The Complex Relationship Between Nutrition and Immunosenescence
Larbi, A., Lesourd, B., & Fülöp, T. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-64597-1_65-1
The Impact of Nutritional Status on Patients with Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study
Giryes, S., Mashiach, T., Lachter, J., Raz‐Pasteur, A., Karban, A. A., & Chermesh, I. (2019) · International Journal of Internal Medicine
Infections et exposition aux organo-chlorés chez les enfants du Nunavik
Dallaire, F. (2006) · Corpus Université Laval (Université Laval)
SidiBrahimSalem, E. (2019) · International Journal of Advanced Research · doi:10.21474/ijar01/9351
Impact of diet on health and longevity in London 1850–1880
Greaves, P. (2020) · JRSM Open · doi:10.1177/2054270420969533
Pinzon, R. T., Veronica, V., Christi, Y. R. T. D., & Pradani, R. A. (2020) · Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal · doi:10.13005/bpj/2088
The Effect of Nutrition in Promoting the Immune System Against Diseases as (COVID 19)
Thabit, R. A., Alselwi, S. A. D., Alhag, S. A., Almothana, H. H. M., Alsoufi, F. G., Al-arieqy, S. S., Alabsi, S. S., & Dhaiban, A. S. S. (2021) · Journal of Chemistry and Nutritional Biochemistry · doi:10.48185/jcnb.v1i1.89
Micronutrients in halal foods associated with improvement of the immune system against coronavirus
Sadeghi, N., Hajimahmoodi, M., & Asaadi, S. M. (2020) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · doi:10.30502/jhhhm.2020.230908.1017
“Nutritional intervention may be effective in both primary and secondary prevention of infections at high-risk patients [16].”
BackgroundRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES AND ADVERSE BIRTH OUTCOMES
Varoneckas, A., Jasinskaitė, K., & Varašiūtė, A. (2021) · Health Sciences · doi:10.35988/sm-hs.2021.110
“Also, children with adverse birth outcomes tend to have a reduced immune response and an impaired immune competence [20].”
BackgroundImmune Competency in a Coronavirus Environment
Nwokike, M. O., Ogbonna, A. O., Anusiem, C. A., Ogbuagu, E. C., & Ghasi, S. I. (2021) · HAL
Nasimuddin, S., Malaiyan, J., Kandasamy, M., Nithyalakshmi, J., Mohan, K., & Sumathi, G. (2021) · Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.18231/j.pjms.2021.039
Krekhovska-Lepiavko, O. M., Lokay, B. A., Yastremskа, S. O., Reha, N. I., Bushtynska, O. V., & Danchak, S. V. (2021) · Bulletin Of Medical And Biological Research · doi:10.11603/bmbr.2706-6290.2021.2.12345
Dyke, K. V. (2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.05083-2
COVID-19 Pandemic and Healthy Aging
Gu, D., Feng, Q., Lu, S., & Dupre, M. E. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-69892-2_1118-2
Anti-Aging Medicine LiteratureWatch
(2002) · Rejuvenation Research · doi:10.1089/109454502763485511
"Context counts: towards a poverty-focused approach to HIV/AIDS prevention in Canada"
Duplessis, K.-L. (2008) · Carleton University's Institutional Repository (MacOdrum Library, Carleton University) · doi:10.22215/etd/2008-08262
Murray, M. T. (2013) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-1-4377-2333-5.00056-0
Dyke, K. V. (2007) · xPharm: The Comprehensive Pharmacology Reference · doi:10.1016/b978-008055232-3.60761-5
Kwak, H., & Blumberg, J. B. (2004) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-652-2_10
Hernández, S. E., Sernia, C., Reynoso, V. H., & Bradley, A. J. (2022) · Veterinaria México OA · doi:10.22201/fmvz.24486760e.2022.987
“This result, in conjunction with the reduction of parasite number in animals with high ranks of energy reserves, is consistent with the assumption that energy reserves and nutritional status impact parasite susceptibility.(28, 29, 85, 86) Unlike the direct catabolic action of glucocorticoids in energy reserves, the ef…”
Maternal Alcohol Use and the Neonate
Gauthier, T. W., Giliberti, D., Mohan, S. S., et al. (2013) · Respiratory medicine · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-8833-0_16
Yamaguchi, M., Obayashi, T., Kobayashi, N., et al. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-49744-4
Enhancing Immunity-Eradication Mal Nutrition by all Local Availabilities- A Review
Kukreti, S., -, D. N. K., & Khan, A. M. (2023) · International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research · doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i06.10002
Liu, S. H., Lung, B. E., Burgan, J., Loyst, R. A., Nicholson, J., & Stitzlein, R. N. (2024) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3892380/v1
Effects of Malnourishment on the immune system: a short review
Ganguly, I., Mondal, E., Majumdar, S., et al. (2023) · Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences · doi:10.53555/sfs.v10i1s.2115
Chakravorty, J., Tukshipa, S. D., Bhadra, P., & Muni, N. (2024) · Food Science and Engineering · doi:10.37256/fse.5220243879
“Adequate nutrition is highly recommended for the efficient functioning of the immune system across different age groups as shown by single nutrient deficiency observation in laboratory animals [2-3] and can modulate resistance to infections [4].”
BackgroundAti, J. E., Doggui, R., Mourou, B., et al. (2025) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu17213399
Exploring the link between water-soluble vitamins and aging-associated immune system status
Schmieder, H., Detert, K., Leischner, C., Venturelli, S., & Burkard, M. (2026) · Frontiers in Immunology · doi:10.3389/fimmu.2026.1771591
“In turn, the lack of essential micronutrients reinforces the already enhanced susceptibility to common infections with an increase in symptom severity (16, 17).”
Altunbas, R., Beğinoğlu, Ö., & Altunbaş, R. (2026) · OSMANGAZİ JOURNAL OF MEDICINE · doi:10.20515/otd.1835353
Immunogenicity of Single-visit, Two-site Intradermal Pre-exposure Rabies Prophylaxis in Children
Agarwal, A., Sharma, K., Mathur, S. B., et al. (2026) · The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal · doi:10.1097/inf.0000000000005407
Immunological Parameters of Nutrition
Madeddu, C., & Mantovani, G. (2007) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-88-470-0552-5_11
Metadata
- Authors
- Chandra, R.
- Affiliations
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Chandra, RK
- Venue
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Published
- 2002-07-30
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- S3
- Pages
- S73-S76
- ISSN
- 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5640
- OpenAlex
- W2054621363
- Cited by
- 369
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 19
- FWCI
- 15.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Keywords
- nutrition and immunity, protein-energy malnutrition, cell-mediated immunity, micronutrient deficiency, zinc, selenium, iron, copper, vitamins, folic acid, obesity, overnutrition, low birth weight, older adults, immunosenescence, cytokine production, secretory IgA
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aging, Child, Child, Preschool, Deficiency Diseases, Humans, Immune System, Infant, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Middle Aged, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Protein-Energy Malnutrition, Vitamins, Micronutrients
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
