2015, Pages 265–275
Aging
is accompanied by physiological, psychological, economic, and social
changes. Physiological changes in particular affect the requirements for
several micronutrients, and the elderly are at high risk for
micronutrient deficiencies. Inadequate intake and status of
micronutrients leads to suppressed immunity, predisposing people to
infections and aggravating malnutrition. This vicious circle is
extremely critical for older adults who have to deal with the
age-related impairment of immune function, or immunosenescence.
Immunosenescence causes increased susceptibility to infections, cancer,
and autoimmune diseases overall, leading to increased morbidity and
mortality. This chapter reviews the roles of selected micronutrients and
Panax ginseng in relation to immune function support,
particularly in the context of aging. Based on their individual
properties and synergistic mode of action, a combination of
micronutrients and ginseng seems a reasonable association to improve
nutritional status and hence the organism’s immune function, the
cornerstone of health, in older adults.
Keywords
- vitamins;
- minerals;
- trace elements;
- ginseng;
- nutraceuticals;
- immune system;
- immunosenescence;
- aging;
- elderly;
- longevity
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
