Lee Swanson Research Update

Low Zinc Levels May Raise Pneumonia Risk in the Elderly

October 2007

Low blood levels of zinc may be linked to an increased risk of pneumonia in the elderly, suggesting the benefits of zinc supplementation, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

“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. “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 U.S. 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. The research was part of a study to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplements on respiratory infections.

Over the course of 12 months, the subjects received vitamin E and a supplement containing half of the recommended dietary allowances of other essential micronutrients, including zinc.

Researchers report that participants with low zinc levels at the end of the study, defined as having levels less than 70 mcg per deciliter, had increased incidence of pneumonia, longer pneumonia episodes, about 50% more new antibiotic prescriptions and more days of antibiotic use.

“Our finding of a significantly lower all-cause mortality rate (by 39%) in those with normal baseline serum zinc concentrations than in those with low baseline serum zinc concentrations suggests that zinc may play a crucial role in influencing mortality in the elderly,” wrote Meydani.

“The results from our current study, in addition to earlier findings, suggest that elderly with low serum zinc concentrations might benefit from zinc supplementation,” the study authors stated.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 86(4):1167-1173, 2007

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