How nutrition can support the immune system

How does nutrition affect immunity?

All cells require adequate and appropriate nutrition to function optimally, including immune cells.¹ During periods of infection, our immune system becomes “activated” and increases the demand for energy.¹ Nutrition is one of multiple factors that impacts the immune response, and good nutrition is important in supporting the immune response.² It is also important in promoting a diverse gut microbiota, which in turn supports the immune system.²

As a pharmacist, you are among some of the most accessible health professionals who can help educate and coach patients on healthy lifestyle habits, including providing nutrition advice and counselling on safe use of multivitamins and supplements.³ However, pharmacists around the world report a gap in knowledge, skillset, and confidence in counselling patients in nutrition.^3–5

At Haleon, we want to raise the bar in the level of service and support health professionals receive from the industry. As part of this, we are committed to delivering world-class education to help address the knowledge and confidence gap.

In 2022, we worked with Professor Philip Calder, Professor of Nutritional Immunology within Medicine at the University of Southampton, to create a three-part webinar series which aims to provide foundational nutrition education to pharmacists and other pharmacy professionals. All three webinars are available to watch on-demand as a three-part series.