Immunonutrition: Modulating the immune response in critically ill and surgical patients through nutrition

Background: Immunonutrition is a term given to nutritional interventions that modulate the immune and inflammatory responses in critically-ill and surgical patients.  This is accomplished via the enteral or parenteral administration of formulas containing an array of immunonutrients in amounts greater than normally found in the diet. Some of the more commonly used immunonutrients include arginine, glutamine, branched-chain amino acids, omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, trace metals (e.g. zinc, copper, iron), and nucleotides or antioxidants.