[Nutrients as inflammatory state modulators].
The role of diet in reduction of the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome has been widely documented. There is evidence that the link between diet and this kind of diseases is low grade chronic inflammation induced by some nutrients. Inflammation is a natural defense mechanism which helps to avoid tissue injuries caused by biological, physical and chemical factors. Adequate inflammatory process is defined by intensity and duration. As a chronic state (silent inflammation, low grade chronic inflammation), it became an etiologic factor of chronic diseases. References indicate that consumption of some nutrients ? such as fatty acids, glucose, bioactive plant compounds, some vitamins and minerals - is related with enhancement or alleviation of inflammatory state. Including them in diet could help to decrease the risk of chronic diseases and health complications caused by them. The aim of this paper is to show modulation properties of diet due to chronic inflammatory state and short characteristic of chosen components with attributed pro- or anti-inflammatory activity. These properties could be used to formulate diet therapy which could help to reduce inflammatory state and minimalize the risk of chronic diseases.