van Neerven R J Joost
Cell Biology and Immunology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Nutrients. 2025 Apr 26;17(9):1469. doi: 10.3390/nu17091469.
The function of the immune system is not only dependent on factors like genetics, age, the environment, and exposure to infectious agents and allergens but also on our microbiota and our diet. It has been known for centuries that food can influence health and vulnerability to infection. This is especially true for infants, young children, and the elderly. This review focuses on how nutrition can support immune function from gestation to school-aged children. Immune support begins during pregnancy by the mother's diet and transfer of nutritional components as well as antibodies to her fetus. After birth, breastfeeding is of crucial importance for immune development as well as for the development of the intestinal microbiota of an infant. If breastfeeding is not possible, early-life formulas are an alternative. These can provide several of the functionalities of breastmilk, as well as the key nutrients a child needs. New foods are introduced during and after weaning, and after this period, children switch to consuming a normal diet. However, due to circumstances, children can be malnourished. This can range from severe protein/energy malnutrition to micronutrient deficiencies and obesity, all of which can affect the function of the immune system. This narrative review describes the immune challenges in early life, explores breastfeeding and early life nutrition, and provides mechanistic insight into the relative contribution of macronutrients, micronutrients and other immunomodulatory food components that can support immune function in early life.
免疫系统的功能不仅取决于遗传、年龄、环境以及接触传染原和过敏原等因素，还取决于我们的微生物群和饮食。几个世纪以来，人们都知道食物会影响健康以及对感染的易感性。这在婴儿、幼儿和老年人中尤其如此。本综述重点关注从孕期到学龄儿童阶段营养如何支持免疫功能。免疫支持在孕期就通过母亲的饮食以及营养成分和抗体向胎儿的传递而开始。出生后，母乳喂养对免疫发育以及婴儿肠道微生物群的发育至关重要。如果无法进行母乳喂养，早期配方奶是一种替代选择。这些配方奶可以提供母乳的多种功能以及儿童所需的关键营养素。在断奶期间及断奶后会引入新食物，在此之后，儿童转而食用正常饮食。然而，由于各种情况，儿童可能会营养不良。这可能从严重的蛋白质/能量营养不良到微量营养素缺乏以及肥胖，所有这些都会影响免疫系统的功能。这篇叙述性综述描述了生命早期的免疫挑战，探讨了母乳喂养和生命早期营养，并对可以支持生命早期免疫功能的宏量营养素、微量营养素和其他免疫调节性食物成分的相对贡献提供了机制性见解。
