UC Irvine

A large number of disorders are associated with two changes in immune reactivity. Firstly, a flourishing disease is often accompanied by depression of effective immune surveillance. This shortcoming allows both invasive microorganisms to proliferate and also leads to survival of abnormal cell types, some of which may proliferate and become transformed to malignant variants. A second feature common to several chronic disease states, is the development of ineffective immune reactions, largely typified by elevation of non-selective generalized inflammatory events. Both of these characteristics adversely affect control and limitation of disease progression. These deficits comprising ever evolving levels of inflammation and a poverty of beneficial immune responses, are also found in normal aging and consequently are especially marked in age-related ailments. The basis for the use of micronutrient phytochemicals is to optimize health in normal subjects and thus pre-emptively assure that the response to an adverse disease event will be the best possible. The maintenance of a high level of fitness in advance of untoward circumstances, is important in delaying and limiting the consequences of both disease states and changes accompanying senescence. This report emphasizes the utility of a series of micronutrient phytochemicals that are able to redirect immune responses toward a more specific goal, while diminishing the propensity of inflammatory mechanisms to be over-reactive and inappropriately directed. In general, phytonutrients tend to be less directed toward a single metabolic site than are pharmacological agents, and tend to impact a series of targets. While they are not essential like vitamins and essential minerals, they are likely to have substantial benefits regarding overall human health and longevity as a result of their disease-preventing properties. This breadth of action and generally low toxicity is in contrast to pharmaceuticals which carry a higher risk of adverse side effects. This makes phytochemicals eminently suitable for extended usage over a prolonged period.