Zinc is Crucial for the Immune System of the Elderly

Zinc is a trace mineral found throughout the body, second to iron in concentration, that helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses and is required for the production of proteins and DNA. Children, who are actively growing and developing, and older people, who can be at higher risk for illness, need the most amount of zinc to stay healthy. Current dietary guidelines suggest getting the majority of your daily nutrients from food. Fortified foods and dietary supplements are a great secondary option in some cases too.

With older individuals in particular, zinc levels become more crucial to good health because T-cell function declines with age. T-cells are one of the important white blood cells of our immune system. They play a central role in directly killing infected host cells, activating other immune cells, and regulating the immune response. Boosting the function and quality of T-cells as we age is important to maintaining good health and warding off illness.

A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researched the effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration (how much zinc is in your body) and T-cell increases in nursing home elderly. After 3 months of zinc supplementation, many zinc-deficient elderlies were able to reach adequate zinc levels. Furthermore, the increase in serum zinc concentration was connected with the enhancement of T-cell function, mostly because of an increase in the amount of T-cells overall.

Eating a wide variety of fresh produce like beans, nuts, and whole grains can help provide a natural source of zinc to your diet. Keep your T-cells and immunity in check with Prevegenics grown foods, grown on the healthiest plants, so they are guaranteed to have the most essential nutrients at harvest. All foods labeled with the Certified Prevegenics label are your easy picks for the healthiest, most nutrient-packed options available.