The type of fatty acids in the diet does affect the immune system and inflammatory processes. To quote research appearing in the British Journal of Nutrition (2002; 87 Suppl 1:S59-67) “Due to the regulatory impact on different processes of inflammatory and immune cell activation n-3 fatty acids provide positive effects on various states of immune deficiencies and diseases with a hyperinflammatory character, among which selected examples are presented.”
One example of research that shows that the type of oil consumed in the diet can have an effect on the immune system is a recent study, (An Med Interna. 2005; 22(7):323-5), which showed a relationship between fatty acid consumption and CD4 (a type of white cell important to the immune system—CD4 levels are reduced in AIDS patients) levels in AIDS patients. This was a small study, involving 40 patients, 24 men and 16 women. The mean age was a little over 37 years. The researchers concluded that, in patients with HIV infection, consumption of omega-3 fatty acids was linked to an increase in CD4 count.
