Zinc supplements decrease incidence of infections in the elderly
Submitted by bruce on Thu, 2007-03-22 08:14.
Health
Adults over the age of 55 years are more susceptible to infections, immune dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and zinc deficiency. Since zinc has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, new research sought to determine the effect of zinc on the incidence of total infections in the elderly.
After zinc supplementation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the incidence of infections was significantly lower, plasma zinc was significantly higher, and generation of oxidative stress markers was significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented than in the placebo group.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 3, 837-844, March 2007
