Culinary and herbal resources as nutritional supplements against malnutrition-associated immunity deficiency: the vegetarian review

Abstract

Abstract Background Malnutrition may be due to undernutrition and/or overnutrition and is responsible for morbidity and mortality. Fulfilling nutrition requirements of all human age groups is necessary for maintenance of health and quality of life. Nutritional supplements, or daily diet, must include a sufficient amount of macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein, and fat), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and nonessential dietary components such as fiber. Main body There is a bidirectional relationship that exists between nutrition, infection, and immunity; children are dying due to malnutrition that weakens their immunity and makes them more susceptible to pathogen attack. Culinary and herbal resources containing macro- and micronutrients are required to achieve nutritional deficiencies. Conclusion In this review, we have documented different culinary herbs that have been used as prime herbal nutritional source and these herbs might be helpful in malnutrition and boosting immunity. The review contains the description of nutritional levels and their distribution to different age group people. This review gives insight to herbal products that boost immunity to fight against infections by restoring micronutrients.

Keywords

• Malnutrition
• Culinary herbs
• Immunity
• Nutrition
• Phytoconstituents