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GI Microbiota and Regulation of the Immune System pp 79–92Cite as

Diet, Immunity and Functional Foods

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Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((volume 635))

Abstract

Functional foods (specific nutrient and/or food components) should beneficially affect one or more target functions in the body. The use of functional foods as a form of preventive medicine has been the subject of much research over the last two decades. It is well known that nutrition plays a vital role in chronic diseases, but it is only recently that data relating to the effects of specific nutrients or foods on the immune system have become available. This chapter aims to summarize the effects of some functional foods (e.g., prebiotics and micronutrients) on the immune system. It should be noted, however, that studies into the role of functional foods with regard to the human immune system are still in their infancy and a great deal of controversy surrounds the health claims attributed to some functional foods. Consequently, thorough studies are required in human and animal systems if we are to move towards developing a functional diet that provides maximal health benefits.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food Microbial Sciences Unit, School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 226, Reading, RG6 6AP, UK

    Lesley Hoyles & Jelena Vulevic

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  1. Lesley Hoyles
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  2. Jelena Vulevic
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Gary B. Huffnagle PhD

  2. Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    Mairi C. Noverr PhD

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Hoyles, L., Vulevic, J. (2008). Diet, Immunity and Functional Foods. In: Huffnagle, G.B., Noverr, M.C. (eds) GI Microbiota and Regulation of the Immune System. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 635. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09550-9_7

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