immunity and nutrition

it is widely documented that dietary deficiencies have a significant impact on the immune system's function. furthermore, it is becoming increasingly clear that nutritional consumption according to the body’s needs helps in improving the immune function, manage chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and reduce risk of infection. there are several macro and micronutrients that are responsible for your health and immunity.

what are macro and micro-nutrients?

macronutrients are consumed in large quantities and contribute to the calorie intake of the body. these nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. micronutrients, on the other hand, are consumed in smaller quantities and are commonly known as vitamins and minerals.

importance of micronutrients

even though micronutrients do not contribute to the calorie requirement of the body, they are crucial for health and vital functions, even if needed in smaller quantities. these nutrients have a direct impact on our immune system.

let’s understand these micronutrients and their role in detail.

vitamin d: vitamin d plays a crucial role in immune function, promoting innate immunity and potentially mitigating autoimmune diseases. clinical studies show promising effects on infection outcomes like tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infection, and hiv.

zinc: zinc is crucial for the immune system, particularly in boosting defense-related immune responses. preventive zinc supplementation has been associated with reduced diarrhea and pneumonia morbidity and mortality. zinc supplementation has also been found to be protective against infection in the elderly population. studies have shown that zinc supplementation can reduce the incidence of respiratory infections (ri) in institutionalized elderly and reduce the incidence of common colds and infections.

fish oil and n-3 pufa: n-3 pufa, a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid, has been shown to have protective effects in conditions of chronic inflammation, including asthma, ibd, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and autoimmune disorders like ra. animal and human studies support the beneficial role of n-3 pufa in disease modulation, with some studies suggesting that large doses may exacerbate the disease. long-term dietary intake of n-3 pufa has been associated with reduced risk of developing islet autoimmunity in children with familial t1d, likely due to n-3 pufa rather than vitamin d.

nutrition incorporation at Làvi

at Làvi, meal plans do not focus on the macronutrients alone. our nutrition and ayurveda experts take any acute or chronic conditions to modify the need of micronutrients as well. these personalized meal plans are backed by extensive health data through reports and regular feedback.