Low blood levels of zinc may be linked to an increased risk of pneumonia amongst the elderly, suggesting the benefits of supplements for this at risk population, says new research.
"Normal serum zinc concentrations in nursing home elderly are associated with a decreased incidence and duration of pneumonia, a decreased number of new antibiotic prescriptions, and a decrease in the days of antibiotic use," wrote lead author Simin Meydani in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
"Zinc supplementation to maintain normal serum zinc concentrations in the elderly may help reduce the incidence of pneumonia and associated morbidity."
The researchers, from the US Department of Agriculture, Tufts University, and Boston University, investigated the effect of low serum zinc concentrations on the incidence of pneumonia in elderly men and women (average age 84.6) living in nursing homes.
Steve - while this is not news to us, it is encouraging to read the comments from the researchers. The elderly are painfully low in key nutrients, such as zinc.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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