Abstract
The reports summarized in this review provide evidence that food restriction alters select aspects of the immune system. Specifically, food restriction affects T cell-mediated immunity, splenic NK cell cytotoxicity and macrophage and B-cell mediated immunity. Attenuated cancer development and aging may be attributed to these food restriction-mediated changes in the immune response. A better understanding of the effects of food restriction, and the combined effects of food restriction and tumor burden, on the immune system is needed if food restriction is to be used as a preventative or a therapeutic intervention for disease.