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Micronutrients and Immunity in Older People

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Preventive Nutrition

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

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Abstract

Aging has been described as a group of processes that promote vulnerability to challenges, thereby increasing the likelihood of death. Since there is evidence that depressed immunity can increase the risk of death, it is likely that changes in immunity with age are key factors in the aging process.

Key Points

• Placebo-controlled clinical trials, despite their limitations, are the best approach for studying effects of micronutrients on immunity.

• High doses of some single nutrients may improve immunity in relatively short time periods—weeks to months – but persistence of these effects is not known at this time. High doses of other micronutrients may adversely affect immunity.

• Some micronutrients may interfere with the beneficial effects of other micronutrients on immunity; this effect will depend on relative doses.

• Low-to-moderate-dose multivitamin/mineral supplements may require considerable time (6 months to 1 year or more) before they enhance immune functions and reduce susceptibility to infectious diseases, and the timing of their effects may differ in men and women.

• High- and even low-dose micronutrient supplements may enhance immunity even in the absence of evidence of underlying deficiencies.

• Long-term ingestion of single nutrient supplements, especially at high doses, may have beneficial and/or adverse effects on immunity and other outcomes.

• Micronutrient supplements are not a substitute for a good diet and regular exercise but rather are a complementary measure.

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Bogden, J.D., Louria, D.B. (2010). Micronutrients and Immunity in Older People. In: Bendich, A., Deckelbaum, R. (eds) Preventive Nutrition. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-542-2_22

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