About this Research Topic

Background

Nourishment has a crucial role in the development of the gut microbiota from the very early to late phases of life, influencing both innate and adaptive immune system responses. Immunomodulation by nutrition is in turn involved in the development of the healthy status of the subject. This has wide consequences for the onset of chronic diseases, which often start during childhood. Microbiota and immune system dialogue reciprocally, with nutrition being the basis for their development and maintenance.

This Research Topic aims to provide and discuss the most recent evidence for the role of nutrition in shaping immunomodulation and the microbiota. Both dietary macronutrients and micronutrients (e.g., vitamins, oligoelements) are recognized to play a pivotal role. Evidence regarding nutrition in immune system modulation and microbiota development, of interest for both pediatricians and also doctors that treat adult patients, will be discussed in this collection. Furthermore, since prevention strategies represent a fascinating challenge, these will also form part of the scope of this Research Topic.

We welcome all article types accepted by the Nutritional Immunology section of Frontiers in Nutrition, including but not limited to the following sub-topics:
• Nutrition during pregnancy, microbiota development and immunomodulation;
• Micronutrients and immunomodulation;
• Iron and the immune system;
• The relationship between microbiota and the immune system;
• Nutrient intake and immunological and neurocognitive development in childhood;
• Strategies for modulating the microbiota during childhood.

Keywords: microbiota, Nutrition, macronutrients, micronutrients, immune system, modulation, infant, child.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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