A new study indicates that antioxidants applied to the diets of aging seniors may enhance their immune systems. Antioxidants have long been suspected to slow down the aging process, but this hasn’t been proven definitively yet. This new twist on things might function as a step in this direction, however.

Aging

The fact that aging adversely affects immune systems isn’t a new one, but with greater knowledge, it seems like this phenomenon may be able to be partly avoided. All cells release free radicals into our own bodies; this is a standard part of our bodies’ metabolism procedure. These, after a time, can cause oxidative stress on our bodies’ cells. This was suspected to be partly responsible for the aging procedure. In mice models, the presence of increased levels of antioxidants resulted in a reversing of the decrease in the strength of the bodies’ defenses.

When powerful antioxidants were injected into the mice, they stayed healthier for longer. Some of the oxidative stress that naturally happens was eliminated. Oxidative stress causes damage to our bodies’ cells and could lead to the development of several diseases, it’s currently believed. In the mice analyzed, the aim was to find if oxidative stress broke down the dendritic cells. These cells act as sentinels to the bodies’ defense systems. When they’re affected, immune systems can’t respond as efficiently. Of course there are large suggestions to remove from this study in regard to helping humans.

Immune system

This study implies that older human immune systems may be strengthened through a series of antioxidant shots. And because many seniors don’t react well to normal vaccinations of different forms, potent antioxidant shots might produce the vaccination process much smoother in this regard, also. By reducing the odds of becoming sick on more than 1 front, it’s extremely probable that seniors will be able t live healthier and longer lives.

Weakened immune systems leave the elderly at a greater risk of developing illnesses and ailments with potentially fatal results. For instance, someone with a poor immune system can be at a greater chance of getting cancer.

Conclusion

By helping us to better avoid such diseases, a regimen of antioxidants may be a fantastic step forward in combating the aging process and the detriments that accompany it. Our immune systems protect us from illness, infection, and disease. The stronger the immune system remains, the greater our probability of living a healthy and happy life. Maintaining health is extremely important as we age because our immune systems start to weaken naturally. Perhaps the findings of the study will have the ability to help take steps toward rectifying this concern and enabling our elderly people to live without fear of getting sick.