Term

Explanation

Effect

Consequences

Malnutrition

Nutrition insufficient in amount or inadequate in composition

Disorders of the IS*
Cachexy

Developmental retardation
Enhanced morbidity
NAIDS**
Tumors

Immunonutrition

 

 

 

Fortified and supplemented well balanced diet

1: Support of the IS in       patient care

2: Enhancement of population health

Optimalization of recovery and prevention of complications
Cutdown of morbidity of the population

Econutrition

Support and regulation of  GIT***microflora

Inhibition of pathogens including ones causing  septic complications
Prevention of tumours

Ecoimmunonutrition

Support of both the IS and GIT microflora

Enhancement of the population health, restriction of drug consumption, finantial saving

Table 1: Terminology

* Immune system
** Nutritionaly Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
*** Gastrointestinal Tract

Population

Prevailing nutrition

n-6 : n-3

Mortality  (%)

Hunters-gatherers
(paleolithic)

molluscs, fish

2 : 1

?

Fishermen-hunters
(Greenland)

fish, game

1 : 1

7

Fishermen, farmers
(Japan, Portugal)

fish, plants

10 : 1

12

Modern (Europe, North America, Japan)

industrialized food

50 : 1

45

Table 2: Mortality on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases related to prevailing nutrition in different populations. Role of nutritional fatty acids.

Population

Energy   intake
(kJ/day)

Saccharides
(g/day)

Fat
(g/day)

Proteins
(g/day)

Caries
(%)

Bone deformations
(%)

Airway
diseases (%)

Masai
pastoralists

12 500

390

160

300

  8

13

  4

Kikuyu farmers

  8 800

100

  20

100

35

53

28

Table 3: Feeding habits in relation to morbidity, studied in two African tribes, the pastoralists-hunters and farmers, in the first half of the last century [7].

GIT (mainly mouth and large intestine)

1000 g

Skin

  200 g

Lungs

    20 g

Vagina

    20 g

Airways (nose)

    10 g

Eyes

      1 g

Table 4: Presence of bacteria in the human body

Nutrient

Effect

Consequences

Prebiotics – soluble fibers
Polysaccharides
(pectin and  oat gum containing b-glucans)
Fructooligosaccharides
(inulin, phlein)
Glucomannan, algal fibers

Modulation of absorption of nutrients
Antioxidative effect
Promotion of mucus secretion
Support to GIT microflora, especially for bifidobacteria
Source for bacterial fermentation and synthese of vitamins (members of group B, folic acid, nicotinic acid)

Protective effect in GIT
Stimulation of regeneration of enterocytes
Therapy of ulcerosis, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension
Prevention of colorectal cancer

n-3 fatty acids
essential nutrients such as
linolenic acid, EPA, DHA

Downregulation of acute inflammatory response
Modulation of immune signal network

Therapy of IS disorders
Protective effect on cardiovascular system, Prevention of tumours
Preoperative care

Membrane lipids
(phospholipids, gangliosides, galactolipids,phosphatidylcholine)

Prevention of inflammation in GIT Inhibition of bacterial translocation
Positive effect on cellular immunity

Prevention and therapy of ulcerosis, toxic and inflammatory liver impairment, sepsis

Polyamines, Amino acids

arginine, glutamine, taurine

Protein synthesis enhancement
Urate metabolism modulation

Wound healing
Support of thymic functions

Nucleotids

Cell proliferation support
Immune signal induction

Regeneration and growth of all tissues, IS, hematopoiesis

Antioxidants
Zn, Se
vitamins A, B, C, E
lycopen, lutein

Inhibition of reactive oxigen species
Stimulation of B-cell and T-cell linked immunity and cytotoxicity

Support of thymic functions
Role in ill health, elderly and starvation

Table 5: Ecoimmunonutrients and their effects