Immune Support for Seniors

Our bodies are equipped with a sophisticated defence system (the immune system) that protects us against a host of potential dangers, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and mutant cells that can give rise to cancer. When confronted with a perceived danger, a youthful immune system responds by producing antibodies, hormone-like substances and various types of white blood cells that seek out and destroy it.

Antibody production falls as we age, and the immune system is less efficient in fighting off infection and destroying mutant cells. Consequently seniors are more susceptible to infections, cancer, and other diseases. Or the immune system may "turn", attacking healthy body tissues as if they were a foreign invader, resulting in an autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Maintaining a strong immune system requires a healthful balanced diet that provides plenty of immunity-enhancing nutrients. Of course lifestyle factors - managing stress, getting enough sleep, and regular exercise - also bolster immunity.

Nutrients that Preserve Immunity in Seniors

The amino acid, arginine, has been shown in clinical studies to increase the production of certain types of white blood cells in elderly people and to boost overall immunity in the elderly. One of the most important organs of the immune system is the thymus gland, which produces numerous immune system-potentiating hormones. With age, the thymus begins to shrink (atrophy) and produces lesser and lesser quantities of immunity-boosting thymic hormones. Diets containing high amounts of arginine have been shown to protect against thymus atrophy and to restore thymic hormone production to normal levels.

Another amino acid, glutamine boosts the function of the immune system during bacterial and viral diseases (to which the elderly are more susceptible) and after the trauma associated with burns and surgery. About 33% of the total function of the immune system occurs around the intestinal wall of the digestive system. Glutamine helps to preserve immune function in the digestive system by helping to prevent bacteria, fungi and viruses from "leaking" in, where they would subsequently place a burden on the immune system.

With age, the body's production of melatonin (a hormone produced by the pineal gland) declines dramatically. This hormone is known to exert many positive effects on the immune system, enhancing the production or function of almost all types of white blood cells. Melatonin supplementation by seniors can restore many of the functions of the immune system that are suppressed as a result of lowered production of this hormone. It can also help to reverse the shrinkage of the thymus gland that occurs with age.

Zinc is the most important mineral for the immune system of seniors. Several studies have demonstrated significant improvement in overall immunity in elderly people receiving zinc supplements. For example, one study found that supplemental zinc caused an increase in the number of circulating lymphocytes (a group of white blood cells) and reduced allergic reactions. Zinc helps to prevent the shrinkage of the all-important thymus gland that occurs with age and reduces the incidence of bacterial and viral infections in seniors.

Whey protein contains various immunity-enhancing components that are useful for seniors' immune systems.

Coenzyme Q10 can double the immune system's ability to clear invading organisms from the blood. In addition, it can double the level of antibodies and improve resistance to infections from viruses.

Vitamin A helps mucous membranes throughout the body to resist infection caused by bacteria and viruses. It also improves the effectiveness of the cells that produce antibodies. Elderly people are frequently deficient in vitamin A.

Vitamin C is particularly useful for seniors' immunity. This well-known vitamin helps to prevent and treat many types of infections in seniors, including the common cold, influenza and many other respiratory tract infections. It works via many mechanisms such as stimulating the production of antibodies, interferons and other immune system chemicals. It enhances the production and function of most types of infection-fighting white blood cells and this leads to increased ability of the elderly to fight infection-causing bacteria and viruses.

Studies conducted on elderly people have clearly shown that vitamin E increases various aspects of immunity in the aged. In one study, people aged 65+ experienced a six-fold increase in their antibody responses after vitamin E supplementation. All seniors should consider vitamin E supplementation as it can significantly reduce the risk of infectious diseases, dramatically improve the function of white blood cells and increase the size of the thymus gland.

Herbs that Preserve Immunity in Seniors

Astragalus is one of the major immunity-stimulating herbs. It has a remarkable ability to restore suppressed immune systems, such as those of seniors. Astragalus has been shown to inhibit many types of bacteria and viruses and to stimulate the activity and production of various types of white blood cells.

Echinacea exerts numerous beneficial effects on immunity in seniors. It stimulates the production and activity of most types of white blood cells and stimulates the production of various immune system chemicals. Echinacea fights many types of bacteria and viruses and therefore helps to prevent and treat many infections including the common cold and influenza.

Chinese researchers have tested the effects of Korean ginseng on seniors' immunity. Their studies have found that Korean ginseng increases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells and to improve overall immunity in people aged fifty to eighty five.

Oils that Preserve Immunity in Seniors

Shark liver oil contains a group of unique lipids named alkylglycerols. These compounds function as potent immune system boosters, providing significant protection against infectious diseases in seniors. This enhancement of immunity occurs from alkylglycerols stimulating the production of antibodies, activating immune system chemicals that fight viruses, and stimulating the activity and production of various types of white blood cells.

The Take-Home Message

Seniors who wish to bolster their immune system through the use of supplements should consider the use of some or all of the following products within these dosage ranges:

* 1,000 - 5,000 mg Arginine
* 1,000 - 5,000 mg Glutamine
* 1 - 5 mg Melatonin
* 15 - 30 mg Zinc
* 20 grams Whey Protein
* 30 - 150 mg Coenzyme Q10
* 50,000 - 150,000 IU Vitamin A
* 500 - 2,000 mg Vitamin C
* 400 - 1,200 mg Astragalus
* 250 - 1,000 mg Echinacea
* 100 - 300 mg Korean Ginseng
* 1,000 mg Shark Liver Oil