Malnutrition and Allergies: Tipping the Immune Balance Towards Health

August 2024 in “ Journal of Clinical Medicine ”

Εmilia Vassilopoulou, Carina Venter, Franziska Roth‐Walter

Studysummary This review highlights that malnutrition, including deficiencies in proteins and micronutrients, may exacerbate allergic conditions like dermatitis and asthma by promoting inflammation, while adequate micronutrient intake supports regulatory immune responses. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The review explores the link between malnutrition and allergies, focusing on how deficiencies in proteins and micronutrients like iron and vitamin A can lead to inflammation and allergic sensitization. Malnutrition is common in individuals with allergic conditions and can exacerbate type 2 inflammation, impairing nutrient absorption and immune balance. The document emphasizes the role of adequate nutrition in preventing and managing allergies, highlighting that iron and vitamin A deficiencies can alter immune responses and increase allergy risks. Interventions such as micronutrient supplementation can mitigate these effects, underscoring the need for nutritional education and dietary strategies to improve immune health and manage allergic diseases effectively.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Diagnosis and Treatment of Female Alopecia: Focusing on Iron Deficiency-Related Alopecia

August 2023 in “Tzu Chi Medical Journal”

This study at a medical center in Eastern Taiwan found that female alopecia has diverse causes, including nutrient deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, psychological stress, thyroid conditions, and COVID-19 vaccination, with iron deficiency affecting 70.3% of cases.

research Iron Deficiency and Diffuse Nonscarring Scalp Alopecia in Women: More Pieces to the Puzzle

30 citations , October 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review examines the debated link between iron deficiency and nonscarring scalp alopecia in women, offering no new clinical results but emphasizing the need for further research and well-designed trials.

research Alopecia in IL-10-Deficient Mouse Pups Is c-Kit-Dependent and Can Be Triggered by Iron Deficiency

15 citations , January 2010 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that maternal iron-restricted diets increased alopecia incidence in IL-10-deficient mouse pups with mast cells, implicating mast cells as potential effectors in this process.