How Diet Impacts Gut Immunity and Autoimmune Disease Risk

On August 21–22, 2024, the NIH Workshop on the Impact of Diet on Mucosal Immunity and Immune-Mediated Digestive Diseases brought together scientists, clinicians, and patient advocates to examine how nutrition influences immune health and disease risk. Hosted by the NIH Office of Nutrition Research and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the event emphasized the role of diet in gut microbiome interactions, immune system function, and the development of autoimmune diseases.

Key discussions included how early dietary exposures shape immune development, the influence of diet-derived metabolites, and the impact of different diets, such as high-fat Western diets, on immune responses. Experts stressed the need for further research on diet-gut interactions, particularly how dietary changes can rapidly alter the microbiome and trigger immune-mediated conditions.

The workshop also called for standardized dietary definitions in clinical research and greater integration of dietitians into patient care teams. Precision nutrition was highlighted as a promising tool for managing or even preventing autoimmune diseases. With immune-related conditions on the rise, these findings reinforce the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to advance nutrition science and improve patient outcomes.

If you would like to view the meeting recording, please use the links below:

Day 1: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=54967

Day 2: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=54969