Nutrition, immunity and a global pandemic
It is well recognised that nutrition is intricately linked to immunity and to the risk and severity of infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for a balanced healthy diet to support the immune system and fight infection has become more apparent than ever.
The immune system is always active however activity is enhanced if an individual becomes infected. This heightened activity is accompanied by an increased rate of metabolism, requiring energy sources which are ultimately derived from the diet. An adequate supply of a wide range of nutrients is essential to support the immune system to function optimally.
Worldwide many individuals are already consuming diets that lack optimal quantities of essential vitamins and minerals - often because of availability or cost. As the pandemic continues many more are at risk of food insecurity.
This new collection provides an overview of the link between nutrition and immunity, discussing how factors including diet, lifestyle and underlying health conditions influence the body’s ability to fight infection.
This collection is an editorially independent Springer Nature collection produced by the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrition & Diabetes with financial support from Lonza.
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What is the immune system and how does it work?
Through evolution, we’ve gained an entire arsenal for fighting off potentially harmful microbes of all sorts. To defend the body against invaders, the immune system must be able to distinguish between what belongs in the body and what does not. Watch this animation to find out how this intricate system is able to do this.
Nutrition, immunity, and a global pandemic
The recent Covid-19 pandemic has focused attention on the devastation infectious illness can cause and on the importance of having a well-functioning immune system. Watch this animation to find out how factors including diet, lifestyle and underlying health conditions impact the body’s ability to fight infection.
