Surgery and the Immune System: What You Might Not Know
Every surgery, from joint replacement to hernia repair, puts stress on your body. You’re not just healing a cut or incision…During this time, your immune system is working around the clock to fight off infection, manage inflammation, and repair tissues.
But here’s the problem: Many patients walk into surgery with suboptimal nutrition, and that makes the immune system’s job much harder.
That’s where the concept of immunonutrition comes in.
What Is Immunonutrition?
Immunonutrition is a form of targeted nutritional support that uses specific ingredients—like amino acids, omega-3s, and antioxidants—to support your immune system and reduce inflammation around the time of surgery.
Think of it as a surgical nutrition strategy designed to:
- Improve healing
- Lower risk of infection
- Reduce inflammation
- Shorten hospital stay
- Support overall recovery
What Nutrients Are in Immunonutrition?
Most immunonutrition formulas include a blend of key ingredients shown to help with immune function and tissue repair:
Arginine
- An amino acid that boosts immune response and helps wounds heal faster
- Stimulates nitric oxide, improving blood flow to healing tissues
Glutamine
- Helps protect the gut and maintain healthy immune barriers
- Supports white blood cell function and reduces infection risk
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA/DHA)
- Reduce inflammation and support immune cell signaling
- May lower the risk of complications like infection and delayed wound healing
Nucleotides
- Found in RNA/DNA and used by rapidly growing cells (like immune and healing cells)
Antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Zinc)
- Help the body combat oxidative stress and inflammation
- Support tissue repair and protect against cellular damage
These nutrients are often taken 5+ days before and after surgery.
What Does the Research Say?
Immunonutrition has been studied in a wide range of surgeries, including orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and cancer-related procedures. Results include:
- Fewer infections (up to 40–50% fewer in some trials)
- Shorter hospital stays (1–2 days less, on average)
- Better wound healing and lower complication rates
- Reduced need for antibiotics and medications post-op
A 2022 meta-analysis found that patients who received immunonutrition around surgery had significantly better outcomes compared to those with standard nutrition.
Who Should Consider Immunonutrition?
You might benefit from immunonutrition if:
- You’re preparing for major surgery, like joint replacement, spine surgery, abdominal or cancer surgery
- You’re over 60 or have a history of diabetes, inflammation, or poor wound healing
- You’ve lost weight recently or have a low appetite
- Your doctor has told you you're at risk for malnutrition or infection
Even healthy patients may benefit, especially if their goal is to recover faster and reduce risks.
Conclusion: Immunonutrition Is One More Tool to Help You Heal
Surgery is an intense stress test for your body. But with the right nutritional support, you can recover faster, feel stronger, and reduce your risk of complications.
Immunonutrition is an emerging science-backed strategy that helps prepare your immune system for the challenge of surgery, and it may give you the edge you need to heal well.