Commonly used immunonutrients and their key functions
| Nutrient | Comments | Key functions or effects |
| Arginine1 | Endogenous synthesis is decreased in trauma and sepsis | Precursor of polyamines and nucleic acids
Precursor of amino acids involved in connective tissue synthesis Precursor of nitric oxide Secretagogue for growth hormone, prolactin, and insulin Increases number of T cells and enhances T cell function Improves wound healing |
| Glutamine2 | Most prevalent free amino acid in the human
body
Synthesised mainly in skeletal muscle Catabolic conditions are associated with marked decline in skeletal muscle and plasma concentrations | Precursor of purines, pyrimidines, nucleotides,
and amino sugars
Precursor of glutathione Major metabolic fuel for enterocytres, colonocytes, and immune cells Most important substrate for renal ammoniagenesis Protects structural and functional integrity of intestinal mucosa Maintains or augments cellular immune functions, especially those associated with cell mediated immunity |
| Branched chain amino acids | — | Precursor of glutamine |
| N-3 fatty acids3 | Readily incorporated into cell membranes, often
at the expense of the n-6 arachidonic acid
Subject to ready peroxidation due to high degree of unsaturation (therefore important to maintain appropriate antioxidant status) | Antagonise production of inflammatory eicosanoids
from the n-6 arachidonic acid
Precursor of alternative family of eicosanoids, often with only weak biological effects Anti-inflammatory Can prevent immunosuppression in some situations |
| Nucleotides4 | De novo synthesis is impaired in catabolic states | Precursors of RNA and DNA
Protects structural and functional integrity of intestinal mucosa Maintains or augments cellular immune functions, especially those associated with cell-mediated immunity |