The adequate intake, at all stages of life, of essential nutrients contributes significantly to the maturation of the immune system and to the efficient responsivity to infections. A deficient nutritional status aggravates the pathological manifestations of acute diseases and lengthens the recovery time; at the same time, a prolonged inflammatory state, whether caused by a chronic infection or by an autoimmune or neoplastic disease, can aggravate an already deficient nutritional state. Therefore, an optimal immunocompetence derives from an optimal nutritional status. This article presents the main scientific evidence on the importance of proper nutrition and, where necessary, appropriate nutraceutical integration to improve and maintain effective immune function in health and disease, with a focus on acute infective diseases and Covid-19.
Keywords: Nutrition, Nutraceutics, Immune system, Covid-19, Integrative cares, Pnei.