Nutritional metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases, are increasingly being recognized as chronic inflammatory conditions driven by metabolic dysregulation. These diseases are often interconnected with systemic low-grade inflammation and immune imbalance, which highlights the pivotal role of immunometabolism in the pathogenesis of nutritional metabolic diseases. As the incidence of these disorders continues to rise globally, there is a pressing need to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms that link nutrition, metabolism, immunity, and inflammation.
Recent advances in nutritional immunology have revealed that dietary components can directly influence inflammatory pathways and immune cell function. Emerging evidence suggests that specific nutrients, dietary patterns, plant-derived bioactive compounds, and pharmacologically active small molecules may modulate inflammatory responses, restore immune homeostasis, and thereby improve metabolic outcomes. For instance, polyphenols, flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids, and other phytochemicals have shown promise in reducing chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction via diverse mechanisms, including NF-κB inhibition, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiota modulation.
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive platform to explore the intricate interplay between immune regulation and inflammation in the context of nutritional metabolic diseases. We welcome original research, reviews, and clinical studies focusing on the immunopathogenesis of metabolic disorders and novel intervention strategies—ranging from dietary modulation to plant-based extracts and small-molecule therapeutics. Particular interest will be given to studies investigating how diet influences gut microbiota composition and function, and how these microbial changes affect systemic inflammation and metabolic outcomes. Special attention will also be paid to the translational potential of anti-inflammatory approaches in the prevention and treatment of chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
The Research Topic encourages submissions including, but not limited to, the following areas: • Immunological Mechanisms in Metabolic Diseases: Exploring how immune dysregulation drives obesity, diabetes, NAFLD, atherosclerosis, and other metabolic disorders. • Nutritional Modulation of Inflammation: Investigating how specific diets or nutrients (e.g., Mediterranean, plant-based, fasting) impact immune responses and inflammation. • Plant-Derived Compounds for Inflammation Control: Studies on phytochemicals (e.g., polyphenols, flavonoids) with anti-inflammatory effects in metabolic diseases. • Small-Molecule Inflammatory Pathway Modulators: Research on small molecules targeting inflammatory pathways (e.g., NF-κB, JAK/STAT) in metabolic disorders. • Gut Microbiota and Immunometabolism: Examining how diet-induced changes in gut microbiota influence immune responses and inflammation. • Multi-Omics Approaches to Immunometabolism: Using systems biology to explore diet, immunity, and metabolic disease interactions. • Immune Aging in Elderly with Metabolic Diseases: Investigating inflammaging and its role in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in older adults.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
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Conceptual Analysis
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FAIR² Data
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
