Nutritional Formula Enhanced Immune Function and Reduced Days of Symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Seniors

• Published in: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) 2004-01, Vol.52 (1), p.3-12
• Main Authors: Langkamp-henken PhD, Bobbi, Bender MD, Bradley S., Gardner PhD, Elizabeth M., Herrlinger-garcia BS, Kelli A., Kelley PhD, Michael J., Murasko PhD, Donna M., Schaller PhD, Joseph P., Stechmiller PhD, Joyce K., Thomas MS, Debra J., Wood PhD, Steven M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Antibody Formation - physiology; antibody response; Biological and medical sciences; Chi-Square Distribution; Dietary Supplements; Double blind randomized controlled trials; Double-Blind Method; Duration; Elderly people; Emergency and intensive care: digestive diseases. Bioartificial liver; Female; Florida; Humans; Immune response; Immune system; immunity; infection; influenza; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Intensive care medicine; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Medical sciences; Nutrition; Nutritional Status; Older people; Prospective Studies; Respiratory system; Respiratory tract infection; Respiratory Tract Infections - immunology; seniors; Statistics, Nonparametric; Supplements; Symptoms; USA; Vitamin E - blood
• ISSN: 0002-8614; 1532-5415
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52003.x

Objectives: To assess whether an experimental nutritional formula, given as a supplement, would reduce days of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and affect antibody and lymphocyte proliferative responses to influenza vaccine. Design: A prospective, randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial was conducted between October 1999 and April 2000. Setting: Assisted‐ and independent‐living facilities in North Central Florida. Participants: Sixty‐six individuals, aged 65 and older. Intervention: Subjects received 8 oz/d of an experimental formula containing antioxidants, zinc, selenium, fermentable oligosaccharides, and structured triacylglycerol or an isoenergetic, isonitrogenous control formula for 183 days. Measurements: Subjects recorded daily symptoms of URTI. Antibody titers and lymphocyte proliferation to three influenza vaccine components were measured on Days 57 and 183. Results: Eighteen subjects in the control group and 16 subjects in the experimental group consumed an average of 7 ounces of formula daily and completed the 183‐day study. Median days of symptoms of URTI were 3 (range 0–69, total days=156) and 0 (range 0–49, total days=78) for the control and experimental groups, respectively (P= .049). On Day 57, seven of 17 (41%) subjects in the control group and 13 of 15 (87%) subjects in the experimental group achieved a fourfold or greater increase in serum antibody titer to A/Beijing (P=.012). Lymphocyte proliferation to influenza vaccine components was greater in the experimental (median=1,365 cpm, range=0–14,955 cpm) than the control group (median=136 cpm, range=0–4,270 cpm) (P=.013). Conclusion: Subjects consuming an experimental nutritional formula experienced enhanced immune function and fewer days of URTI symptoms.