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Immunology of Aging pp 285–293Cite as

Diet and Immunosenescence

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Abstract

Ageing is a systemic condition leading to a gradual loss of molecular and cellular fidelity. A feature of ageing is immunosenescence, consisting in several modifications that increase morbidity and mortality in elderly. Environment, genetic background, immune system, and intestinal microbiota play a fundamental role in immunosenescence. The development of a chronic, low-grade, inflammatory status, known as “inflamm-ageing,” is a typical aspect of immunosenescence mostly due to the pro-inflammatory cytokine production linked to the chronic antigenic load. Nutrition can act on ageing, immunity, and health in general. Unbalanced diet with an insufficient intake of micro- and macronutrient and vitamins is a major nutritional problem among elderly, resulting in a dramatic change in gut microbiota. Calorie restriction and long-term adherence to Mediterranean diet could prevent or manage age-related diseases and immunosenescence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology and Medical and Forensic Biotechnologies, University of Palermo, Corso Tukory 211, Palermo, 90134, Italy

    Giulia Accardi MSc, Carmela Rita Balistreri PhD, Calogero Caruso MD & Giuseppina Candore PhD

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  1. Giulia Accardi MSc
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  2. Carmela Rita Balistreri PhD
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  3. Calogero Caruso MD
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  4. Giuseppina Candore PhD
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Correspondence to Carmela Rita Balistreri PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences School of Medicine, Tehran, Iran

    Ahmad Massoud

  2. Children's Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Tehran, Iran

    Nima Rezaei

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Accardi, G., Balistreri, C.R., Caruso, C., Candore, G. (2014). Diet and Immunosenescence. In: Massoud, A., Rezaei, N. (eds) Immunology of Aging. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39495-9_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39495-9_21

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