Research
Mixed
Ageing is associated with immunosenescence, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and poorer responses to vaccination.
As you age, your immune system naturally weakens. Ensure you are up-to-date on vaccinations, including flu and pneumonia shots, and maintain a nutrient-rich diet to support your immune health.
GoodRefutesHIGH confidence
Ageing can be associated with a loss of immune competence, a process called immunosenescence... Immunosenescence means that, compared with younger adults, older people have increased susceptibility to infections including respiratory tract infections and pneumonia and poorer responses to vaccination.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple studies cited.
Source
Nutrition, immunity and COVID-19
Philip C. Calder · BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health · 2020
DOI 10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000085
narrative_reviewCited 540×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Adequate intake of essential micronutrients (Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, folate, zinc, selenium, copper, iron) is required to support optimal immune function and reduce susceptibility to infections.Good
- Zinc and selenium are particularly important for antiviral defense mechanisms.Good
- Obesity is associated with impaired immune competence, including reduced antibody and IFN-gamma production, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and poorer vaccination responses.Good
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
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