Diet and Immunosenescence

Ageing is a systemic condition leading to a gradual loss of molecularand cellular fidelity. A feature of ageing is immunosenescence,consisting of several modifications that increase morbidity and mortalityin elderly. Environment, genetic background, immune system, andintestinal microbiota play a fundamental role in immunosenescence.The development of a chronic, low-grade, inflammatory status, knownas “inflamm-ageing,” is a typical aspect of immunosenescence mostlydue to the pro-inflammatory cytokine production linked to the chronicantigenic load. Nutrition can act on ageing, immunity, and health ingeneral. Unbalanced diet with an insufficient intake of micro- andmacronutrient and vitamins is a major nutritional problem among elderly,resulting in a dramatic change in gut microbiota. Calorie restriction andlong-term adherence to Mediterranean diet could prevent or manage agerelateddiseases and immunosenescence.