Pediatria pre prax 4/2020

Vitamins D, C and zinc are essential for function of immune system and enhancement of protective immunity

The immune system is an integral part of protective inflammatory response with aims to eliminate invasion of pathogenic microorganisms and to eliminate self tissue damage. The potential to participate in protective immune reaction is given to all body cells. The protective strategy is multilevels. The first line is physiological microbiota which is inhabiting all epithelial structures of our body and skin. The second line is formed by epithelial linings which are interacting with both physiological microbiota and components of immunity. The third line of defence is innate immunity including its cellular substrate, namely dendritic cells, macrophages, granulocytes and NK cells. The forth defence line is adaptive specific immunity displayed by T and B lymphocytes. Efficient protection deserves the presence of vitamins D, C and elementary zinc which are able to positively modulate the protective potential of all lines of defence. It is evidenced that the intake of vitamin D, C and zinc by food is in majority of people insuficient to cope the requirements of these nutrients for optimal immune response. Therefore, supplementation is highly recommended to prevent especially viral infections.

Keywords: protective immunity, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, immune modulation, viral infections