Chapter 10: Nutrients Involved in Body Defenses
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Summarize the function of the immune system, including the roles of the skin, intestinal
cells, white blood cells, and lymphoid tissue.
2. Define oxidation and reduction, and describe how antioxidants function to neutralize free
radicals.
3. Outline the functions and list food sources of vitamin A and the carotenoids, and
describe signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency and toxicity.
4. Outline the functions and list food sources of vitamin C, and describe signs and
symptoms of vitamin C deficiency and toxicity.
5. Outline the function and list food sources of vitamin E, and describe the signs and
symptoms of vitamin E deficiency and toxicity.
6. Outline the functions and list food sources of selenium, and describe signs and
symptoms of selenium deficiency and toxicity.
7. Outline the functions and list food sources of zinc, and describe symptoms of zinc
deficiency and toxicity.
8. Describe some functions of phytochemicals that support body defenses.
9. Explain the benefits of probiotics for the development and maintenance of the immune
system.
10.Describe the relationship among body fatness, dietary patterns, and cancer risk.
Fact Check: Can I boost my immune system by taking supplements?
● Since 2020, there has been much buzz in the media about dietary supplements
“boosting” the immune system; currently, there is no evidence to support this statement.
● No supplements contain all the benefits provided by healthy foods, so supplements
should not be used as substitutes for a healthy eating pattern.
● Megadose supplements (many times the RDA) can be harmful and are discouraged.
● To help support our immune system, we should strive to include food sources rich in pre-
and probiotics.
Section 10.1 Concepts: Defending the Body Against Pathogens
1. Describe 2 ways the GI tract assists the immune system.
2. What is the process by which cells can engulf particles, such as bacteria and fungi?
What types of cells perform this function?
3. Differentiate between innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
4. What is the inflammatory response? What dietary patterns lead to chronic, low levels of
inflammation?
The Immune System
Collection of diverse tissues:
● Skin
● Intestinal cells
● White blood cells
● Lymphoid tissue
,Work together to:
● Prevent infection
● Break down aged dying cells
● Remove abnormal cells
Skin
Almost continuous barrier surrounding the body
Essential fatty acids, vitamin A, niacin, and zinc help maintain skin health.
Skin lesions provide an opening for bacteria to penetrate.
Nutrient deficiencies weaken the integrity of the skin.
● Vitamin A deficiency lowers enzyme lysozyme, needed to kill bacteria
Intestinal Cells
Cells of small and large intestines:
● Packed close together
● Form barrier to microorganisms
Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissues (GALT):
● Assists cells of GI tract in keeping pathogens from entering bloodstream
Nutrients:
● Adequate protein, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, vitamin C, folate, and zinc
Nutrient deficiencies:
● Cause intestinal cells to break down
● Lead to diarrhea and bacteria in bloodstream
White Blood Cells
Cell-Mediated Immunity
● Phagocytes: Monocytes (precursors to macrophages), neutrophils, and eosinophils
● Phagocytosis: Cells engulf, ingest, digest substances, including microorganisms, destroy
pathogens via lysosomes.
Antibody-Mediated Immunity
● Lymphocytes produce antibodies in response to foreign proteins (antigens)
● Antibiotics mark invaders for destruction by other immune cells
Phagocyte
● Phagocytosis: Bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other foreign particles are ingested.
● Indentation is formed and particle is engulfed.
● Foreign material is digested by lysosomes.
Lymphoid Tissue
Thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and other clusters of immune cells throughout the
body
Thymus:
● With bone marrow, helps mature white blood cells
● Active in infancy through adolescence, tapers off during adulthood
, Spleen:
● Contains many macrophages, remove foreign proteins, dead, damaged cells from blood
Clusters of lymphoid tissue:
● Mostly around lungs and GI tract (GALT) activity
Two Categories of the Immune Response
Innate (nonspecific):
● Born with this defense
● Physical, chemical defenses keep foreign substance out of the body
Adaptive (specific):
● Developed over time as exposed to individual pathogens
Innate (Nonspecific) Immune Response
Inflammatory response- macrophages:
● Activated by ingesting foreign protein, pathogen
● Release cytokines, causing swelling and fever, usually short lived
Chronic, low-level inflammation linked to ailments:
● Refined carbohydrates, added sugars, solid fats, and overall calories through to promote
inflammation
● Fruits and vegetables, plant proteins, unsaturated fats from plant oils and fish, whole
grain associated with lower inflammation, and lower risks of chronic diseases
Adaptive (Specific) Immunity Response
Lymphocytes:
● Produce antibodies
● Bind to antigens
● Mark foreign proteins and microorganisms for destruction by white blood cells
● May take several days or weeks to eradicate pathogen
● Creates template to “remember” for future exposure
Dietary Patterns That Support the Immune Reponse
Epithelial tissues form barriers to environment
● Vitamin A, several B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc
White blood cells destroy pathogens
● Vitamins A, C, D, and E, as the mineral zinc
Antioxidant defense systems
● Vitamins C and E, carotenoids and other phytochemicals, and minerals such as
selenium and zinc
Gut microbes influence human health.
● Whole food prebiotics and probiotics
Nutrients That Support the Immune Response
Constant cell synthesis requires steady nutrient intake.
Formation of new cells:
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Summarize the function of the immune system, including the roles of the skin, intestinal
cells, white blood cells, and lymphoid tissue.
2. Define oxidation and reduction, and describe how antioxidants function to neutralize free
radicals.
3. Outline the functions and list food sources of vitamin A and the carotenoids, and
describe signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency and toxicity.
4. Outline the functions and list food sources of vitamin C, and describe signs and
symptoms of vitamin C deficiency and toxicity.
5. Outline the function and list food sources of vitamin E, and describe the signs and
symptoms of vitamin E deficiency and toxicity.
6. Outline the functions and list food sources of selenium, and describe signs and
symptoms of selenium deficiency and toxicity.
7. Outline the functions and list food sources of zinc, and describe symptoms of zinc
deficiency and toxicity.
8. Describe some functions of phytochemicals that support body defenses.
9. Explain the benefits of probiotics for the development and maintenance of the immune
system.
10.Describe the relationship among body fatness, dietary patterns, and cancer risk.
Fact Check: Can I boost my immune system by taking supplements?
● Since 2020, there has been much buzz in the media about dietary supplements
“boosting” the immune system; currently, there is no evidence to support this statement.
● No supplements contain all the benefits provided by healthy foods, so supplements
should not be used as substitutes for a healthy eating pattern.
● Megadose supplements (many times the RDA) can be harmful and are discouraged.
● To help support our immune system, we should strive to include food sources rich in pre-
and probiotics.
Section 10.1 Concepts: Defending the Body Against Pathogens
1. Describe 2 ways the GI tract assists the immune system.
2. What is the process by which cells can engulf particles, such as bacteria and fungi?
What types of cells perform this function?
3. Differentiate between innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
4. What is the inflammatory response? What dietary patterns lead to chronic, low levels of
inflammation?
The Immune System
Collection of diverse tissues:
● Skin
● Intestinal cells
● White blood cells
● Lymphoid tissue
,Work together to:
● Prevent infection
● Break down aged dying cells
● Remove abnormal cells
Skin
Almost continuous barrier surrounding the body
Essential fatty acids, vitamin A, niacin, and zinc help maintain skin health.
Skin lesions provide an opening for bacteria to penetrate.
Nutrient deficiencies weaken the integrity of the skin.
● Vitamin A deficiency lowers enzyme lysozyme, needed to kill bacteria
Intestinal Cells
Cells of small and large intestines:
● Packed close together
● Form barrier to microorganisms
Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissues (GALT):
● Assists cells of GI tract in keeping pathogens from entering bloodstream
Nutrients:
● Adequate protein, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, vitamin C, folate, and zinc
Nutrient deficiencies:
● Cause intestinal cells to break down
● Lead to diarrhea and bacteria in bloodstream
White Blood Cells
Cell-Mediated Immunity
● Phagocytes: Monocytes (precursors to macrophages), neutrophils, and eosinophils
● Phagocytosis: Cells engulf, ingest, digest substances, including microorganisms, destroy
pathogens via lysosomes.
Antibody-Mediated Immunity
● Lymphocytes produce antibodies in response to foreign proteins (antigens)
● Antibiotics mark invaders for destruction by other immune cells
Phagocyte
● Phagocytosis: Bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other foreign particles are ingested.
● Indentation is formed and particle is engulfed.
● Foreign material is digested by lysosomes.
Lymphoid Tissue
Thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and other clusters of immune cells throughout the
body
Thymus:
● With bone marrow, helps mature white blood cells
● Active in infancy through adolescence, tapers off during adulthood
, Spleen:
● Contains many macrophages, remove foreign proteins, dead, damaged cells from blood
Clusters of lymphoid tissue:
● Mostly around lungs and GI tract (GALT) activity
Two Categories of the Immune Response
Innate (nonspecific):
● Born with this defense
● Physical, chemical defenses keep foreign substance out of the body
Adaptive (specific):
● Developed over time as exposed to individual pathogens
Innate (Nonspecific) Immune Response
Inflammatory response- macrophages:
● Activated by ingesting foreign protein, pathogen
● Release cytokines, causing swelling and fever, usually short lived
Chronic, low-level inflammation linked to ailments:
● Refined carbohydrates, added sugars, solid fats, and overall calories through to promote
inflammation
● Fruits and vegetables, plant proteins, unsaturated fats from plant oils and fish, whole
grain associated with lower inflammation, and lower risks of chronic diseases
Adaptive (Specific) Immunity Response
Lymphocytes:
● Produce antibodies
● Bind to antigens
● Mark foreign proteins and microorganisms for destruction by white blood cells
● May take several days or weeks to eradicate pathogen
● Creates template to “remember” for future exposure
Dietary Patterns That Support the Immune Reponse
Epithelial tissues form barriers to environment
● Vitamin A, several B vitamins, vitamin C, and zinc
White blood cells destroy pathogens
● Vitamins A, C, D, and E, as the mineral zinc
Antioxidant defense systems
● Vitamins C and E, carotenoids and other phytochemicals, and minerals such as
selenium and zinc
Gut microbes influence human health.
● Whole food prebiotics and probiotics
Nutrients That Support the Immune Response
Constant cell synthesis requires steady nutrient intake.
Formation of new cells:
