As people age their immune system begins to work less effectively making them more vulnerable to diseases and infections. Combined with a loss of interest in food and a poorer appetite that may occur in later life, it can make it harder to get all the nutrients needed for good health.
BNF is a registered charity that delivers ‘impartial and evidence-based information’ on food and nutrition. The ‘Nutrition and Immunity for Older Adults’ resource profiles ten key nutrients the body needs throughout later life to support the immune system.
Some of the nutrients include:
- Vitamin A: which can be found in foods such as eggs, cheese and liver. Soups that are made from vegetables, such as butternut squash, sweet potato or carrots can also be providers of beta carotene that the body converts to Vitamin A.
- Vitamin C: can be found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit, as well as vegetables, such as cabbage, peppers and tomatoes. Serving a meal with a portion of green cabbage and a portion of cauliflower will provide you with all the vitamin C needed for the day.
- Copper: which can be found in wholegrain breakfast cereals, pasta and quinoa. Adding pulses to dishes such as stews and curries can provide a great source of copper too.
Sara Stanner, science director at the British Nutrition Foundation, commented: “The immune system is a complex network of cells and chemical compounds that help defend the body against infections.
“There are a number of different nutrients, including protein, omega-3 fats and many vitamins and minerals, that are involved in supporting our immune systems to work normally, and these are found in a wide variety of foods – there’s no single nutrient or food that can ‘boost’ immunity.
“Our new Nutrition and Immunity for Older Adults resource has been developed bearing in mind the challenges we face when trying to eat well and stay healthy later in life and it is important to remember that our bodies and nutritional needs alter as we age.”