The Role of Nutrition in Immunity
        Monique Piderit, RD (SA)
 OVERVIEW
   ▪ The Immune System
    ▪ Functions of the Immune System
    ▪ Innate vs Adaptive Immune System
    ▪ Layers of the Immune System
    ▪ Immunocompromised
    ▪ Chronic Inflammation
   ▪ The Role of Nutrition in Immunity
    ▪ Vitamin A
    ▪ Vitamin C
    ▪ Vitamin D
    ▪ Zinc
    ▪ Fibre
   ▪ Conclusion
              UNDERSTANDING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
       The immune system is the body’s natural defence protecting you from 
      diseases and infections caused by bacteria, viruses and other disease-
                                 causing germs.
       White blood cells, proteins, 
     tissues and organs back up the 
       immune system should any 
        intruder get into the body.
     The immune system is made up 
             of two parts: 
    •  Innate (general) immune 
       system 
    •  Adaptive (specialized) 
       immune system                                The innate and adaptive immune systems. Updated 2020
                                                 Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/
            THE BASIC COMPONENTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
                   Innate Immune System
              Y    Non-specific; fact (minutes to hours)
         OF        Physical barriers, biochemical mechanisms, inflammatory response, complement system, phagocytes
        TYPES IMMUNITAdaptive Immune System
                   Highly specific; slow (days)
                   B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, immunoglobulins, other body fluids
                   Physical and Biochemical Barriers                    Immune Cells
              TEM  Physical e.g. skin, GIT, respiratory tract,          Leukocytes e.g. monocytes, neutrophils, 
              YS   nasopharynx, cilia, eyelashes, body hair             eosinophils, basophils,  lymphocytes             Antibodies 
        OF THE     Biochemical e.g. secretions, mucus, bile,            Granulocytes – neutrophils, eosinophils, 
        S          gastric acid, saliva, tears, sweat.                  basophils                                        Immunoglobulins 
                   General Immune responses e.g.                        Lymphocytes – B cells, T cells (cytotoxic,       e.g. IgA, IgD, IgE, 
        YER        inflammation, antimicrobial substances, non-         helper e.g. Th1, Th2, Th17), memory, NKC         IgG, IgM
                   specific cellular responses.                         Phagocytes – neutrophils, monocytes, 
        LA    IMMMUNE SComplement system e.g. opsonisation, 
                   chemotaxis, cell lysis, agglutination.               macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells
                                                                        Cell surface proteins – MHC I, MHC II
                                                                    Nutrients
               Vitamins: A, D, C, E, B6, B12, B9; Minerals: Zinc, Iron, Copper, Selenium, Magnesium
                      Gombart et al; A review of micronutrients and the immune system working in harmony to reduce the risk of infection. Nutrients, 2020;12:236.