Nutrition and Immunity in Elderly.

Aging is associated with increase in chronic disease as well as infections and associated morbidity. This is often throughout to be secondary immunosenescene. Whether this decline in immune function with aging is due to the aging process per Se or is secondary to poor health, inflammation, and other life style factors particularly suboptimal nutritional status. With aging a variety of changes are observed in the immune system, which translate into less effective innate and adaptive immune responses and increased susceptibility to infections. Antioxidant vitamins and trace elements [vitamins C, E, selenium, copper and zinc] counteract potential damage caused by reactive oxygen species to cellular tissues and modulate immune cell function through regulation of redoxsensitive transcription factors and affect production of cytokines and prostaglandins. Adequate intake of vitamins B[6], folate, B[12], C, E, and of selenium, Zn, copper and iron supports a Th I cytokine-mediated immune response with sufficient production of proinflammatory cytokine. Vitamin A and D play important roles in both cell mediated and humoral antibody response. Nutrient supplementation is often accompanied by an improvement in immune function.