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. 2004 Oct 6;1(3):241–250. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh042

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© 2004, the authors Evidenced-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol. 1, Issue 3 © Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved. The online version of this article has been published under an open access model. Users are entitled to use, reproduce, disseminate, or display the open access version of this article provided that: the original authorship is properly and fully attributed; the Journal and Oxford University Press are attributed as the original place of publication with the correct citation details given; if an article is subsequently reproduced or disseminated not in its entirety but only in part or as a derivative work this must be clearly indicated.

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Modulation of immune functions by foods. The immune system is divided into innate immunity and acquired immunity, and food-derived substances can modulate either innate or acquired immunity. For example, probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria and some vitamins enhance phagocytic activity and natural killer (NK) cell activity (innate immunity), while vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and oligosaccharides augment T cell responses and antibody production (acquired immunity). A balance of innate and acquired immunity is desirable for good health.