DIET AND IMMUNE FUNCTION

Adequate human nutrition is essential to maintain all normal physiolog ical functions including defence of the self. Controversy exists about the precise constituents of diets optimal for all stages in the human life-span. Dietary composition may also need to be altered under such stressful conditions as infection or recovery from major surgery. Und erstanding how specific nutrients can alter immune responses may add t o the quality of human lives by minimising the impact of disease morbi dity and mortality. Dietary modification also offers hope of new thera peutic regimens for human diseases.