Download Your Immune System and Aging

Your Immune System and Aging
You can’t feel it or see it. You can’t take its pulse or its temperature. But out of sight and out of mind,
your immune system is quietly and constantly patrolling your body to detect and destroy invaders. It is
your most powerful protector, working tirelessly around the clock to keep you safe.
Your immune system is a precious asset. It protects you from the ceaseless assaults of bacteria, viruses,
fungi, and parasites. The danger is very real. In 2001, 62,000 people in the United States die of
influenza or pneumonia. And each year, around 215,000 people in the United States die from a severe
bacterial infection known as sepsis. Tuberculosis, once considered under control, now kills 1.7 million
every year. At the same time, new infectious diseases are emerging around the globe in such forms as
bird flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
One active area of research is how the immune system functions as the body ages. Researchers believe
that the aging process somehow leads to a reduction of immune response capability, which in turn
contributes to more infections, more inflammatory diseases, and more cancer. As life expectancy in the
developed countries has increased, so too has the incidence of age-related conditions. Happily,
investigation into the aging process can benefit us all – no matter what our age.
While some people age healthily, compared with younger people, the elderly are far more likely to
contract infectious diseases. Respiratory infections, influenza, and particularly pneumonia are a leading
cause of death in people over 65 worldwide. Fortunately, for most of your life, your immune system will
do a good job of protecting you from infection. But as with any finely tuned machine, it can occasionally
get out of sync, causing the system to go awry. When this happens, the results range from irritating
discomfort to deadly disease.
It is possible to intervene in this process, as you age, and make your immune system stronger? What if
you improve your diet? Take certain vitamins or herbal preparations? Make other lifestyle changes in
the hope of producing a near-perfect immune response?
The idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, and quite a number of researchers are exploring the
effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, herbal supplements, and other factors on the immune
response, both in animals and in humans. Researchers are still trying to understand how the immune
system works and how to interpret measurements of immune function. In the meantime, generally
healthy living strategies are a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand. Following
general good-health guidelines is the single best step you can take toward keeping your immune system
strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when
protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies.
One important question is whether dietary supplements may help older people maintain a healthier
immune system. Older people should discuss this question with a physician who is well versed in
geriatric nutrition, because while some dietary supplementation may be beneficial for older people,
even small changes can have serious repercussions in this age group.
The Truth about Your Immune System is a new special health report from Harvard Medical School.
Inside this report you’ll learn how the immune system functions and how it changes as we age. You’ll
discover what you can do to protect yourself from disease and stay healthy. This reports takes you on a
tour through your immune system and includes practical steps you can take to assist your immune
system in its mission.