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The immune system provides protection from a series of potential pathogens which we may encounter daily. One of the problems with the immune system is that its action is invisible and hence not easy to quantify. Their failure to cause disease is neither recognised nor perceived. We only become aware of the role of the immune system in our survival when it is lacking or through the incidence of some specific diseases. Of course, individuals who are immune deficient show an increased susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens, poorer responses to vaccination, and greater likelihood of morbidity and mortality associated with infections.(1)
Advanced age is one indicator of likely immune dysfunction. As worldwide, the global population contains progressively more and more older individuals there is likelihood of an increased prevalence and incidence of infectious diseases due to common and emergent pathogens.
The resultant increase in mortality and morbidity would be matched by the risk of functional decline and disability. Maintaining immune function at a plateau throughout life may therefore be associated with considerable cost savings. (1)
Elderly individuals do not respond to immune challenge as robustly as the young
One of the issues which is often overlooked is the considerable amount of energy required to undertake an immune response. For many older individuals the necessary energy to make a successful immune response may be lacking because of either an inadequate diet or the change in the permeability of the gut to specific elements. Studies in which the diet of older individuals was supplemented, with an energy source and trace elements revealed that treated individuals could produce a greater response to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination.(1)
In autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakes healthy cells for foreign cells and starts attacking them. Omega-3 fatty acids can help fight several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.(2)
VitA has both promoting and regulatory roles in both the innate immune system and adaptive immunity; therefore, it can enhance the organism’s immune function and provide an enhanced defense against multiple infectious diseases.(3)
Vitamin D can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infection (4)
Adults who have low vitamin D levels are more likely to report having had a recent cough, cold, or upper respiratory tract infection.. (5)
Zinc supports the growth and normal functioning of immune cells, even a mild or moderate deficiency can slow down the activity of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages that protect the body from viruses and bacteria. The elderly who may have low zinc intakes from a poor appetite due to multiple diseases and medications are at risk for infections, such as pneumonia and skin ulcers. (6)
Changes in the permeability of the gut alter the uptake of trace elements such as zinc.(1)
Cordyceps sinensis hepls promote immune regulation
Cordyceps is a precious health food product that has been shown to have many powerful benefits on the body’s immune system. Cordyceps contains cordyceptin, adenosin, guanosin, 17 amino acids, polysaccharides which help strengthen the inactive immune system, prevent its overreaction, therefor increasing strength and vitality to fight against bacteria, viruses and other pathogens from the environment.
Prevention is better than cure, the health of the elderly needs more attention and care. One thing that simple but effective is paying attention to the daily diet of the elderly to enhance the immune system, keep them healthy, ensure body functions and reduce risk of infection in everyday life.
References:
(1)Richard Aspinall and Pierre Olivier Lang. Interventions to restore appropriate immune function in the elderly. Immun Ageing. 2018; 15: 5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5785902/
(2)https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/17-health-benefits-of-omega-3#section8
(3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6162863/#B128-jcm-07-00258
(4)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20can%20modulate%20the,an%20increased%20susceptibility%20to%20infection.
(5)https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/
(6)https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/zinc/