Link between Viral Infections, Immune System, Inflammation and Diet

Carlotta Suardi, Emanuela Cazzaniga, Stephanie Graci, Dario Dongo and Paola Palestini
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Carlotta Suardi: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, EC, via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
Emanuela Cazzaniga: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, EC, via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
Stephanie Graci: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, EC, via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
Dario Dongo: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, EC, via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
Paola Palestini: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, EC, via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: The strong spread of COVID-19 and the significant number of deaths associated with it could be related to improper lifestyles, which lead to a low-grade inflammation (LGI) that not only increases the risk of chronic diseases, but also the risk of facing complications relating to infections and a greater susceptibility to infections themselves. Recently, scientific research has widely demonstrated that the microbiota plays a fundamental role in modulating metabolic responses in the immune system. There is, in fact, a two-way interaction between lifestyle, infection, and immunity. The immune response is compromised if nutrition is unbalanced or insufficient, because diet affects the intestinal flora predisposing people to infections and, at the same time, the nutritional state can be aggravated by the immune response itself to the infection. We evaluate the link between balanced diet, the efficiency of the immune system, and microbiota with the aim of providing some practical advice for individuals, with special attention to the elderly. A correct lifestyle that follows the Mediterranean model, which is especially rich in plant-based foods along with the use of extra-virgin olive oil, are the basis of preventing LGI and other chronic pathologies, directly influencing the intestinal microbiota and consequently the immune response.

Keywords: lifestyle; infection; immunity; microbiota; vitamin; dietary guidelines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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