What does Chronic Infection really mean?
Malnutrition of it all “Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence. All parts are interconnected.” -T. Colin Campbell Thirty-percent of present disease burden could be removed by eliminating malnutrition ( 3 ). Further, five types of infectious disease represent more than fifty percent of all deaths in children under 5 years old, and most of them are also undernourished. This kind of malnutrition is not limited to only poor populations. It is a vicious cycle that can affect anyone. Undernutrition can lead to decreased immune function (in both innate and adaptive immunity), while infection results in poorer nutrient absorption, mucosal injury, and an altered gut biome. In that way infection and nutrition are closely linked to overall health ( 2 ). A deficiency in vitamin A can affect epithelial integrity important in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Lacking vitamin E can reduce T cell division, and lower production of cytokines. Zinc is needed in over...
