Abstract
The development and optimal functioning of our immune system is directly influenced by our diet. Any deficiency or excess of certain nutrients can affect the number and activity of immune cells. Among the nutrients identified, dietary fatty acids are described as having major effects on immunity. Indeed, the fatty acid composition of the membranes of immune cells seems to be easily modulated under the effect of dietary fats and the resulting rapid changes in composition are likely to generate functional effects on the reactivity and functioning of these cells within a very short period of time. Among the different mechanisms identified to explain the impact of dietary fatty acids on the immune function, the synthesis of lipid mediators from polyunsaturated fatty acids is a key one notably in the context of inflammation.
Highlights
The immune system brings together all the resources that enable to protect the body against threatening agents or situations, both internal and external to the organism.The immune function is influenced by many factors, including genetics, sex, early life events, age, hormonal status, stress
Innate immunity acts as the first line of defense and involves the physical and biochemical barriers associated with an unspecific cellular response mediated mainly by monocytes, neutrophils, natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells
Further studies are needed to establish adequate intake levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These data show an effect of dietary fatty acids on immune and inflammatory responses
Summary
The immune system brings together all the resources that enable to protect the body against threatening agents or situations, both internal and external to the organism. It was suggested that the observed effects involved modifications of the physical properties of the immune cell membrane, any modification of membrane order, called fluidity, may have consequences of disrupting membrane processes, which are essential for the immune cells’ response to any activation of the immune system. The purpose of this article is to provide a non-exhaustive overview of the mechanisms known to date to explain how fats we eat, in particular dietary n-6 and n-3 PUFA, can influence how our immune system works
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