Zinc helps prevent pneumonia in the elderly
Ethan A. Huff, staff writer
The study was a follow-up to a previous one which found that people given 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E every day for one year are 20 percent less likely to develop upper respiratory infections, including common colds. But after a follow-up, the trial also revealed that a majority of those same participants had low levels of zinc in their blood.
Subjects in the first trial were supplemented with only half the recommended daily intake of zinc and other essential vitamins, but those who had normal blood levels of the mineral overall experienced less infections and needed fewer antibiotics. Those with zinc deficiencies were far more prone to developing prolonged illness.
Zinc is a necessary mineral for maintaining health in many other areas as well. The eyes and prostate, for example, need zinc in order to function properly.
"[Zinc] is...important for the proper functioning of the immune system -- which you definitely want in top working order! Zinc also aids in the regulation of blood pressure and the mineralization of bone," explains Elaine Magee in her book Food Synergy: Unleash Hundreds of Powerful Healing Food Combinations to Fight Disease and Live Well.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_relea...
http://www.naturalpedia.com/zinc.html
August 20, 2010
www.naturalnews.com/029528_zinc_pneumonia.html