Chapter 2 Micronutrients that Affect Immunosenescence

Abstract

Over the past few decades, longevity has significantly elevated and, as a result, the health system is currently facing the growing emergence of age-related diseases [1]. Food itself is a cause of age-related disease since the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), advanced glycation end products, advanced lipoxidation end products and inflammatory mediators lead to multiple tissue damage (Fig. 2.1) [2]. In addition, it has been repeatedly reported that a normal nutritional status is essential for optimal immune function. However, the prevalence rate of malnutrition is generally higher among the elderly, especially in community-dwelling and nursing home residents [3]. It is believed that malnutrition or insufficient intake of certain nutrients found in the elderly constitutes another adverse factor further contributing to the dysregulation of immune function developed with aging. On this basis, in freeliving elderly individuals, aging is characterized by low-grade inflammation, the so-called “inflammaging”, which may evolve toward a chronic inflammatory condition when the accumulation of metabolic products becomes excessive, thus aggravating tissue damage (Fig. 2.2) [4]. Immunosenescence reflects the decrease with age of the immune response in humans and abnormal immunity contributes to the complications of age-related diseases.