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eCAM Advance Access published online on October 20, 2005
eCAM, doi:10.1093/ecam/neh125
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© The Author (2005). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Received March 3, 2005
Accepted August 26, 2005

Review

Natural Health Products, Modulation of Immune Function and Prevention of Chronic Diseases

Pierre S. Haddad 1*, Georges A. Azar 2, Simon Groom 3, and Michel Boivin 4

1 Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, 2001 McGill College, Suite 1000, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital St-Luc, 1058 St-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
3 Department of Human Nutrition, Macdonald College, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
4 Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon, 2001 McGill College, Suite 1000, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Hôpital St-Luc, 1058 St-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pierre S. Haddad, E-mail: pierre.haddad{at}umontreal.ca


  Abstract

The immune system is increasingly found to be involved in the development of several chronic illnesses, for which allopathic medicine has provided limited tools for treatment and especially prevention. In that context, it appears worthwhile to target the immune system in order to modulate the risk of certain chronic illnesses. Meanwhile, natural health products (NHPs) are generating renewed interest, particularly in the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases. Over 20 scientists from fields related to immune function and NHPs were thus convened to establish the state of knowledge on these subjects and to explore future research directions. This review summarizes the result of discussions held during the symposium. It thus seeks to be thought provoking rather than to comprehensively cover such broad areas of research. Notably, a brief overview of the immune system is presented, including potentially useful targets and strategies to keep it in an equilibrated state, in order to prevent certain disorders. The pertinence and limitations of targeting the immune system to prevent chronic diseases is also discussed. The paper then discusses the usefulness and limitations of current experimental tools available to study the immune modulating effects of NHPs. Finally, a concise review of some of the most studied NHPs showing promising immunomodulatory activity is given, and avenues for future research are described.

Keywords: NK cells; Cytokines; Microparticles; Probiotics; Natraprevention; Vitamins; n-3 fatty acids; Green tea; Echinacea; Ginseng.
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