Zinc
The zinc-supplemented group received zinc gluconate (45 mg elemental Zn/d) orally for 12 mo. Zinc deficiency, cell-mediated immune dysfunction, susceptibility to infections, and increased oxidative stress have been observed in elderly subjects (ie, those >55 y old). Zinc is an effective antiinflammatory and antioxidant agent. After zinc supplementation, the incidence of infections was significantly lower, plasma zinc was significantly higher, and generation of tumor necrosis factor α and oxidative stress markers was significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented than in the placebo group.
