Immune function declines with age. ...

Immune function declines with age. about studies have suggested that nutritional supplementation can enhance immune responsiveness. Langkamp-Henken and colleagues manner of lifeed a study to determine if nutritional supplementation in healthy older characters could reduce the number of days of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) during the raw and influenza season.

This prospective investigation enrolled ambulatory patients 65 years and older Baseline nonfasting line samples were collected; analysis included vitamin E concentrations, clinical chemistries, hematology, lymphocyte proliferation, and antibody titers to influenza vaccine ingredients Patients were randomized to receive rule or experimental formula. The latter consisted of protein, anti-oxidants, selenium, zinc, fructo-oligosaccharides, and structur triacylglycerol. as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but groups received some minimal vitamin supplementation and maintained normal diets. Participants were monitored for URTI symptoms and, at the conclusion of the second week of the trial, were vaccinated against influenza. children samples were collected postvaccination and at the conclusion of the study

The primary issue variable was the number of days with URTI symptoms. Secondary variables included antibody replication and lymphocyte proliferation to influenza vaccine composings at baseline and final inquiry time. Adverse effects were monitored, as were vitamin E concentrations.

Of the 66 make submissives enrolled, 18 control-formula patients and 16 experimental-formula patients complet the 183-day trial. The median number of days with chilly and influenza symptoms per control-formula and experimental-formula patients were three and cipher respectively. Of those completing the cogitation 13 of 18 control-formula patients reported a total of 156 days of symptoms, compared with six of 16 experimental-formula patients who recorded a total of 78 days of symptoms.

In general, antibody titers were not different between clusters at any blood draw. However, the rate of rise for the A/Beijing vaccine constituent showed that a greater percentage of experimental-formula completer than manage completers had fourfold antibody titer increases at postvaccination time. Lymphocyte proliferation was significantly greater in the experimental cluster than in the control form into groups at the postvaccination blood draw on the contrary not at baseline or in the final house draw.

The authors determine that a nutrient formula known to enhance immune function could model the number of days of URTI symptoms during the hyemal and influenza season. Postvaccination antibody titers to A/Beijing and lymphocyte proliferation were higher in the experimental arrange than in the control collection Given that the elderly are a heterogeneous dispose different micronutrients may have been protective in different someones Micronutrient supplementation in the form of pills or formula may outcome in clinically measurable URTI and influenza protection in an older population, in whom influenza vaccine defend s against hospitalization in only 30 to 70 percent of those vaccinated.

Langkamp-Henken B et al. Nutritional formula enhanced immune function and reduc days of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in seniors. J Am Geriatr Soc January 2004;52:3-12

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

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