Provided are compositions for non-stressful activation of cellular, tissues specific and systemic immune defenses in the treatment of bacterial, virus, fungal or parasite (protozoa) infections and infections/inflammation arising from toxins or toxic agents, and related diseases and/or disorders. In particular, pharmaceutical compositions, dietary supplements and nutritive compositions comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of D-glyceric acid, DL-glyceric acid and salts and esters thereof for use in treating, preventing or alleviating a communicable and/or infectious disease or disorder and/or related inflammation are described.
