Introduction

Although inflammation is one of the body's first responses to infection, overactive immune responses can cause chronic inflammatory diseases. Long-term low-grade inflammation has also been identified as a risk factor for other diseases. Diet, immunity and inflammation provides a comprehensive introduction to immunity and inflammation and the role that diet and nutrition play with regard to this key bodily response.

Part One: Introductory Section

Discusses innate and adaptive immunity, mucosal immunity in a healthy gut, and chronic inflammatory diseases and low-grade inflammation.

Part Two: Micronutrients and Inflammation

Chapters highlight the role of micronutrients, including zinc, selenium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin D, in inflammation and immunity.

Part Three: Dietary Constituents

Explores other dietary constituents and includes chapters on intestinal bacteria and probiotics, the impacts of prebiotics on the immune system and inflammation, and antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects of food bioactive proteins and peptides. Further chapters explore the role of olive oil, short and long chain fatty acids, arginine, and glutamine in immune functions.

Part Four: Nutrition, Immunity, and Inflammation Across the Life Course

Discusses adverse immune reactions to foods, early nutritional programming, the impact of nutrition on the immune system during aging, the impact of exercise on immunity and its interaction with nutrition, and the effect of malnutrition on immunity and susceptibility to infection.

About the Book

With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Diet, immunity and inflammation is a comprehensive resource for those researching immunology or inflammation, nutrition scientists, and professionals in the food and nutrition industries who require an understanding of the effect that diet can have on the immune system and inflammation.

- Provides an overview of key research in the important and connected areas of inflammation, infection, overactive immune responses, diseases, and diet

- Outlines the fundamentals of immunity and inflammation and reviews the effects of different food constituents

- Discusses important related issues, such as aging and exercise