Nutrition and immunity: is there a connection?

• Olga V. Zaytseva
• Natalya K. Shumeyko
• Marina V. Besedina

Abstract

The relationship between malnutrition and infectious morbidity in children has been studied not only by pediatricians, but also by immunologists, gastroenterologists, nutritionists, and is currently undeniable. Optimal intake of all macro- and micronutrients can be achieved with a varied, well-balanced diet, but this is generally not achievable in real life. At the moment, there is a widespread micronutrient deficiency in the world.

Abbott Laboratories has developed the "PediaShur Maloezhka" and "PediaShur Zdoroveika", children's health food products. A number of studies have been carried out to analyze the effect of nutritional intervention of these products into the diet of children aged 1 to 10 years. The impact of additional nutritional support on the incidence of infectious diseases was assessed. The results showed statistically significant decrease in average number of episodes of recurrent respiratory infections (2.5 times) and their average duration (1.8 times).

Thus, intervention of an optimal diet with additional nutritional support should become an effective strategy that, in combination with a complex of rehabilitation measures for a healthy lifestyle, can reduce burden of infectious diseases in children.

Keywords:children, recurrent respiratory infections, nutritional support, "PediaShur Maloezhka", "PediaShur Zdoroveika", immune system

REFERENCES

1. Nicholson L.B. The immune system. Essays Biochem. 2016; 60 (3): 275-301. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20160017

2. Wu H.J., Wu E. The role of gut microbiota in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity. Gut Microbes. 2012; 3 (1): 4-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4161/gmic.19320 PMID: 22356853; PMCID: PMC3337124.

3. Calder PC. Nutrition and immunity: lessons for COVID-19. Nutr Diabetes. 2021; 11 (1): 19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-021-00165-0 PMID: 34168111; PMCID: PMC8223524.

4. Krawinkel M.B. Interaction of nutrition and infections globally: an overview. Ann Nutr Metab. 2012; 61 (Suppl 1): 39-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000345162 PMID: 23343946.

5. Rytter M.J., Kolte L., Briend A., Friis H., et al. The immune system in children with malnutrition - a systematic review. PLoS One. 2014; 9 (8): e105017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0105017 PMID: 25153531; PMCID: PMC4143239.

6. Calder P.C., Carr A.C., Gombart A.F., Eggersdorfer M. Optimal nutritional status for a well-functioning immune system is an important factor to protect against viral infections. Nutrients. 2020; 12 (4): 1181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041181 PMID: 32340216; PMCID: PMC7230749.

7. Pecora F., Persico F., Argentiero A., Neglia C., et al. The role of micronutrients in support of the immune response against viral infections. Nutrients. 2020; 12 (10): 3198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103198 PMID: 33092041; PMCID: PMC7589163.

8. Methodical recommendations "Norms of physiological needs for energy and nutrients for various groups of the population of the Russian Federation" MR 2.3.1.0253-21. https://www.rospotrebnadzor.ru/documents/details.php?ELEMENT_ID=18979

9. http://cgon.rospotrebnadzor.ru/content/62/1943

10. Lee G.Y., Han S.N. The role of vitamin E in immunity. Nutrients. 2018; 10 (11): 1614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111614 PMID: 30388871; PMCID: PMC6266234.

11. http://cgon.rospotrebnadzor.ru/content/62/1914

12. Norman A.W. The history of the discovery of vitamin D and its daughter steroid hormone. Ann Nutr Metab. 2012; 61 (3): 199-206. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000343104. PMID: 23183289.

13. National program "Vitamin D deficiency in children and adolescents of the Russian Federation: modern approaches to correction". Moscow: Pediatr, 2018; 96 p. (in Russian)

14. Cassat J.E., Skaar E.P Iron in infection and immunity. Cell Host Microbe. 2013; 13 (5): 509-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2013.04.010 PMID: 23684303; PMCID: PMC3676888.

15. Musallam K.M., Taher A.T. Iron deficiency beyond erythropoiesis: should we be concerned? Curr Med Res Opin. 2018; 34 (1): 81-93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2017.1394833 PMID: 29050512.

16. Cerami C. Iron nutriture of the fetus, neonate, infant, and child. Ann Nutr Metab. 2017; 71 (Suppl 3): 8-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000481447

17. Venter C., Eyerich S., Sarin T., Klatt K.C. Nutrition and the immune system: a complicated tango. Nutrients. 2020; 12 (3): 818. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030818 PMID: 32204518; PMCID: PMC7146186.

18. Wu G. Important roles of dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline in human nutrition and health. Amino Acids. 2020; 52 (3): 329-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-020-02823-6

19. Lagana A.S., Unfer V., Garzon S., Bizzarri M. Role of inositol to improve surfactant functions and reduce IL-6 levels: A potential adjuvant strategy for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia? Med Hypotheses. 2020; 144: 110262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110262

20. Clements R.S. Jr., Darnell B. Myo-inositol content of common foods: development of a high-myo-inositol diet. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 ; 33 (9): 1954-67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/33.91954 PMID: 7416064.

21. Bailey R.L., West K.P. Jr., Black R.E. The epidemiology of global micronutrient deficiencies. Ann Nutr Metab. 2015; 66: 22-33.

22. Martinchik A.N., Baturin A.K., Keshabyants E.E., Fatyanova L.N., et al. Dietary intake analysis of Russian children 3-19 years old. Voprosy pitaniia [Problems of Nutrition]. 2017; 86 (4): 50-60. (in Russian) DOI: https://doi.org/10.24411/0042-8833-2017-00059 PMID: 30695611.

23. Pavlovskaya E.V. Feeding disorders in children: modern approaches to diagnosis and management. Meditsinskiy sovet [Medical Council]. 2021; (17): 32-9. (in Russian) DOI: https://doi.org/10.21518/2079-701X-2021-17-2

24. Akhmetshin R.Z., Druzhinina N.A., Nasibullina L.M., Shiryaeva G.P., et al. The effect of additional nutritional support as part of the rehabilitation program on the quality of life and morbidity in children with recurrent respiratory pathology. Medical Council. 2018; (17): 238-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21518/2079-701X-2018-17-238-244

25. Malnutrition in young children. Principles of nutritional support. Ed. by T.N. Sorvacheva. Moscow; 2015. (in Russian)

26. Schrezenmeir J., Heller K., McCue M., Llamas C., et al. Benefits of oral supplementation with and without synbiotics in young children with acute bacterial infections. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2004; 43 (3): 239-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/000992280404300305 PMID: 15094948.

27. Kansu A., Durmaz Ugurcan O., Arslan D., Unalp A., et al. High-fibre enteral feeding results in improved anthropometrics and favourable gastrointestinal tolerance in malnourished children with growth failure. Acta Paediatr. 2018; 107 (6): 1036-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.14240 PMID: 29364537; PMCID: PMC5969084.

28. Fisberg M., Maulen-Radovan I.E., Tormo R., Tabernero Carrascoso M., et al. Effect of oral nutritional supplementation with or without synbiotics on sickness and catch-up growth in preschool children. Int Pediatr. 2002; 17(4): 216-22.

29. Alarcon P.A., Lin L.H., Noche M.Jr., Hernandez V.C., et al. Effect of oral supplementation on catch-up growth in picky eaters. Clin Pediatr. 2003; 42 (3): 20917. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/000992280304200304 PMID: 12739919.

30. Huynh D.T., Estorninos E., Capeding R.Z., Oliver J.S., et al. Longitudinal growth and health outcomes in nutritionally at-risk children who received long-term nutritional intervention. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2015; 28 (6): 623-35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12306 PMID: 25808062; PMCID: PMC6680231.

31. Ghosh A.K., Kishore B., Shaikh I., et al. Effect of oral nutritional supplementation on growth and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in picky eating children at nutritional risk: a randomized, controlled trial. J Int Med Res. 2018; 46 (6): 2186-201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060518757355

All articles in our journal are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0 license)