Contribution of Selected Vitamins and Trace Elements to Immune Function
Abstract
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…
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Studies have shown that vitamin C is highly concentrated in leukocytes.
“Studies have shown that this exogenous antioxidant is highly concentrated in leukocytes135.”
The immunomodulating effect of vitamin C may occur through the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines from NF-κB or by hampering T cell apoptosis-signaling pathways.
“This immunomodulating effect of vitamin C may occur through the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines from NF-κB or by hampering T cell apoptosis-signaling pathways135,137.”
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- Authors
- Wintergerst, E. S., Maggini, S., & Hornig, D. H.
- Affiliations
- Bayer (Switzerland) (CH)
- Venue
- Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
- Publisher
- S. Karger AG
- Published
- 2007
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 301-323
- ISSN
- 0250-6807 (ISSN-L)
- 1421-9697
- OpenAlex
- W1981105213
- Cited by
- 692
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 62 · 2020: 60 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 47 · 2014: 34 · 2013: 39 · 2012: 37
- FWCI
- 2.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism (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 › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- vitamins, trace elements, micronutrient deficiency, immune function, Th1/Th2 balance, Th1 cytokines, Th2 cytokines, vitamin A deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, copper, folic acid, B vitamins, antioxidant vitamins, reactive oxygen species, redox-sensitive transcription factors, innate immunity, adaptive immune response, infection susceptibility, malnutrition, aging, smoking, alcohol abuse, pregnancy and lactation
- MeSH terms
- Avitaminosis, Disease Susceptibility, Humans, Immune System, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Trace Elements, Vitamins, Cytokines
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