Disclosed is a method of enhancing the immune response of an animal,
including mammals and humans, to prevent or ameliorate immunoinflammatory
diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, increase immune system
development, maintain or increase CD4.sup.+ and CD8.sup.+ T lymphocyte
levels, increase immune function, increase immune response against
viruses and prevent or ameliorate the Metabolic Syndrome, Type 2 diabetes
and obesity by administering orally or parentally a therapeutically
effective amount of punicic acid to the animal.
