Nutrition, Exercise Boost
Effectiveness of Flu Shot in Older People
Sept. 30, 2002 - Two recent studies
suggest that the flu vaccine might be even more effective in older
adults when supplemented with calories, vitamins, minerals, and
exercise. Current influenza vaccines are 50 to 60 percent effective in
preventing illness in older people.
A liquid nutritional supplement
containing enhanced levels of antioxidants shows a potential benefit
to older adults due to improved antibody responses to the influenza
vaccines, reports a study in the September 2002 Journal of
Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
Wendeline Wouters-Wesseling and
colleagues of Numico Research B.V. and Wageningen University in The
Netherlands noted that with aging the immune system functions less
effectively. Because of this, the influenza vaccination does not
always result in adequate protective serum antibody in older adults.
However, in healthy, well-nourished elderly people, there is only a
small decline in immune function. Therefore, nutritional intervention
might improve the antibody response of older adults after influenza
vaccination and thereby reduce influenza-related illnesses and deaths.
Another study in the same issue of
Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences is the first to observe an
association between physical activity and immune response to the
influenza immunization. Marian L. Kohut and her colleagues at Iowa
State University found that, among older adults, regular, moderate to
vigorous exercise was associated with improved immune response (higher
antibody titer) to the influenza vaccine.
The Iowa State University researchers
cautioned that in the vaccination study, limited or low intensity
exercise did not affect immune response. Enhanced immune response came
with "exercise three or more times per week for twenty minutes or more
at an intensity vigorous enough to work up a sweat," according to Dr.
Kohut and colleagues.
The researchers also found that less
stress was associated with a better immune response to the vaccine.
Overall, Dr. Kohut and colleagues concluded, "The findings from this
study suggest that there is an association between physical activity,
diet, psychosocial factors, and the immune response to influenza
immunization in older adults.
In other words, older adults who want
to get the most out of their flu shot should focus on stress,
nutrition, diet, and exercise.
The Journal of Gerontology: Medical
Sciences is a refereed publication of The Gerontological Society of
America, the national organization of professionals in the field of
aging.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Sept. 30, 2002 - Two recent studies
suggest that the flu vaccine might be even more effective in older
adults when supplemented with calories, vitamins, minerals, and
exercise. Current influenza vaccines are 50 to 60 percent effective in
preventing illness in older people.