Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of infections in the elderly: effect of zinc on generation of cytokines and oxidative stress
Prasad AS, Beck FW, Bao B, Fitzgerald JT, Snell DC, Steinberg JD, Cardozo LJ
Published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85 (3), pp. 837-44
Methodology
Randomized placebo-controlled trial of zinc gluconate 45 mg/day in older adults measuring infection incidence, plasma zinc and oxidative stress markers.
Key Findings
Zinc-supplemented elderly had significantly fewer infections and lower inflammatory cytokine and oxidative stress markers than placebo.
Conclusions
Zinc restores T-cell mediated immune competence in ageing.
Limitations
Single centre; modest sample.
Supplements Studied
Zinc-supplemented elderly had significantly fewer infections and lower inflammatory cytokine and oxidative stress markers
Outcomes Measured
Zinc-supplemented elderly had significantly fewer infections and lower inflammatory cytokine and oxidative stress markers than placebo
Study Details
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