Interactions of malnutrition and immune impairment, with specific reference to immunity against parasites

1 Clinical malnutrition is a heterogenous group of disorders including macronutrient deficiencies leading to body cell mass depletion and micronutrient deficiencies, and these often coexist with infectious and inflammatory processes and environmental problems. 2 There is good evidence that specific micronutrients influence immunity, particularly zinc and vitamin A. Iron may have both beneficial and deleterious effects depending on circumstances. 3 There is surprisingly slender good evidence that immunity to parasites is dependent on macronutrient intake or body composition.