Exam 13: Nutrients Involved in Blood Health and Immunity

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The immune system works to prevent the body from disease, promote healing, and guard against cancer.
There are two types of immune responses, non-specific and specific.
The non-specific immune response uses the skin and mucous membranes to block invaders from entering the body. Other responses such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and diarrhea are all designed to expel harmful agents. Furthermore, the acidic environment of the stomach can kill foodborne microbes.
There are also immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells that can destroy wide variety of harmful microorganisms.
Inflammatory chemicals and the high temperature of a fever can also kill disease-causing microbes.
Conversely, the specific immune function is directed against recognized antigens. This response needs time to develop and can take a couple of days.
The specific immune response relies primarily on two types of cells, the B cells and T cells.
The B cells differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies to flag the antigens for destruction. The B cells also differentiate into memory cells, which remain in circulation and can quickly attack an invader if you have previously been exposed to the pathogen.
Cytotoxic T cells will kill the body cells harbouring microbes or any other non-self substances. The helper T cells produce chemicals that activate the B cells and cytotoxic T cells.
Optimal nutrition is critical for a healthy immune system. If an individual is poorly nourished, they are at an increased risk for illness and infection.
If an individual has inadequate intakes of protein, it will impair the body's ability to make antibodies and for the immune cells to kill bacteria.
The essential fatty acids are also important in immune health. The essential fatty acids play a role in the development of eicosanoids, which are required for the immune system to respond to invaders. It is important to have a good balance of essential fatty acids as both deficient and excessive intakes have been found to impair the immune response.
Vitamins and minerals are also involved in the immune system. Vitamin A helps maintain the mucosal surfaces of membranes in the non-specific immune response. Vitamin A deficiencies have been associated with increased infections, however, excessive intakes may also be detrimental.
Vitamin C, E, and the mineral selenium contribute to the immune response through their antioxidant functions.
Zinc is required for gene expression and enzyme activation for B an T cell proliferation and copper is required for the immune cells to multiply.
Iron is important in the function of T and B cells as well as the neutrophils. Conversely, iron is also a pro-oxidant, thus excessive amounts can hamper the immune system.
I would not advise her to take the supplement. In most cases, excessive intakes of these nutrients will impair not enhance the immune response. Furthermore, the supplement will not provide all of the nutrients required by the immune system. Unless there is an actual deficiency of these nutrients the extra amounts are unlikely to be beneficial.
I would advise my friend to eat a healthy, well-balance diet high in foods containing the nutrients involved in maintaining the immune system.
I would also encourage her to achieve and/or maintain a healthy body weight. Excess body weight has been associated with increased infections, delayed wound healing, and a poor antibody response.

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Yes, I believe this is a plausible hypothesis because zinc has a role in insulin synthesis and secretion. Zinc also influences how adipose cells can take up glucose.

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The NGO should first check the vitamin A status of the population. Vitamin A supplementation can improve immune health in populations with low vitamin A status; however, there is evidence that excessive intakes of vitamin A can have the opposite effective and impair immune response.