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Review
. 2015 Nov:58:46-62.
doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.12.009. Epub 2014 Dec 15.

Diet, behavior and immunity across the lifespan

Matthew W Hale  1 , Sarah J Spencer  2 , Bruno Conti  3 , Christine L Jasoni  4 , Stephen Kent  1 , Morgan E Radler  1 , Teresa M Reyes  5 , Luba Sominsky  6
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Review

Diet, behavior and immunity across the lifespan

Matthew W Hale et al. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2015 Nov.
Free PMC article

Abstract

It is increasingly appreciated that perinatal events can set an organism on a life-long trajectory for either health or disease, resilience or risk. One early life variable that has proven critical for optimal development is the nutritional environment in which the organism develops. Extensive research has documented the effects of both undernutrition and overnutrition, with strong links evident for an increased risk for obesity and metabolic disorders, as well as adverse mental health outcomes. Recent work has highlighted a critical role of the immune system, in linking diet with long term health and behavioral outcomes. The present review will summarize the recent literature regarding the interactions of diet, immunity, and behavior.

Keywords: Calorie restriction; Cytokine; Diet; IL-18; Immune; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharide; Microglia; Nutrition; Obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Exposure to maternal under- or over-nutrition during gestation, or early life overfeeding can have life-long consequences for immune system functioning, metabolism and behavior. The schematic illustrates two rodent models of prenatal programming, maternal undernutrition and maternal obesity; and one rodent model of neonatal programming, suckling rats in small litters, along with some examples of the physiological, metabolic, and behavioral changes that occur as a result. The schematic also illustrates a model of adult onset calorie restriction, which can have a number of health promoting benefits. Abbreviations: CORT, corticosterone; CRP, C-reactive-protein; Hp, hippocampus; Hyp, hypothalamus; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; TNF, tumor necrosis factor
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