Zinc’s role in aging
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Zinc’s role in aging
Keeping a healthy diet among seniors, especially observing good eating habits, can strengthen the immune system and improve their ability to recover from illness and prevent chronic disease. Providing the aging body with the key nutrients is therefore important for immune health support.1,2
The importance of micronutrients in health is unquestionable and among them, zinc, plays an essential role in the efficiency of the immune system. Zinc is needed for cellular reproduction, which is important in the synthesis of new immune system cells. 2,3
Zinc deficiency is common among elderly since they often avoid meats and other foods that contain it to avoid the risk of high cholesterol levels. Other causes of deficiency of this micronutrient include inadequate chewing, intestinal malabsorption, psychosocial factors such as depression and prescribed medication for health maintenance.3
Low zinc can threaten the immune system. As we age, our immune system becomes more susceptible to weakening, making us vulnerable to health problems such as pneumonia and influenza, in addition to increasing the risk for developing autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Maintaining healthy zinc levels is key to living a long, healthier life by optimizing the function of the immune system. 3, 4
Supporting the immune system as we age is important. One way to do this is to observe good nutrition with the help of Ensure to meet recommended intake levels. Ensure is a good source of Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Zinc, not to mention HMB or beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, a muscle-preserving ingredient that works with protein to fight sarcopenia or muscle loss among seniors.2
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