After studying 617 people of 65 years and older in 33 nursing homes in the Boston area, researchers at the Tufts University found that those with normal blood zinc concentrations were about 50 percent less likely to develop pneumonia than those with low concentrations.
For one year, the participants also received daily supplements containing 50 percent of the recommended dietary allowance of several vitamins and minerals, including zinc.
The study, published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also found that people with normal zinc concentrations had a 39 percent lower rate of death from all causes.
Author Simin Nikbin Meydani said in a press release, "Not only did (people with lower zinc concentrations) have a higher risk of developing pneumonia, when they did become sick, they did not recover as quickly and required a longer course of antibiotics."
"Zinc is already known to strengthen the immune system; however, there needs to be further investigation of zinc and its effect on pneumonia development and prevention in nursing homes. The next step would be a clinical trial," Meydani said.
The various sources of zinc are red meat, poultry, whole grains, beans, dairy products, and oysters.
"Those participants with normal serum zinc concentrations in their blood were more likely to spend fewer days on antibiotics and recover more quickly," the authors concluded.
