A new article published in The Journal of infectious Diseases discussed that micronutrients – such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and E and folic acid can influence several components of the innate immunity. Select micronutrients play an important role in alteration of oxidant-mediated tissue injury and phagocytic cells produce reactive oxidants as part of the defense against infectious agents. Therefore, adequate micronutrients are required to prevent damage of cells participating in innate immunity.

The authors elaborated that deficiencies in zinc and vitamins A and D may reduce natural killer cell function, whereas supplemental zinc or vitamin C may enhance their activity. However, the specific effects of micronutrients on neutrophil functions remains obscure. Nevertheless, select micronutrients may play a role in innate immunity—associated with some disease processes.

Source: The Journal of infectious Diseases. 2000 Sep;182Suppl 1:S5-10. doi: 10.1086/315922.