Protective Role of Functional Foods on Cellular-Immunity

The maintenance of immune cells and preserving their adequate function are strongly influenced by antioxidants/oxidants balance in the cells. In addition to endogenous antioxidant defense systems, consumption of dietary vitamin antioxidants plays a synergistic role in scavenging and quenching free radicals. Synthetic antioxidants are reported to be dangerous to human body. Thus, the search for dietary and plant derived antioxidants appears to be a suitable alternative. Scientific research support biological activities of functional foods and nutraceuticals as they all are natural products. Their costs are too expensive for the common man especially in developing world. The searches for indigenous, affordable and widely available functional foods which will have effective antioxidant protection are suitable alternatives and it is the aim of this book. The book showed that indigenous functional foods (oranges, carrots and soybeans) improved the cellular immune related blood parameters. Thus, contributed to knowledge by showing effective antioxidant protection that can inhibit or alleviate oxidative stress that is related to most health problems associated with ageing in adults.