Zinc Reduces Rates of Pneumonia and All-Cause Mortality

Boston-area public health researchers present evidence that low zinc is present in 29% of their study population (adults over age 65).  They found that low zinc doubled the risk for developing pneumonia as well as doubling the length of time the illness lasted.  Even more importantly, independent of infections, low zinc was associated with a 39% increase in all-cause mortality. 

Zinc is instrumental to the function of at least 300 key enzymes related to health, especially immune and sexual health.  It is therefore not surprising that a deficiency of this nutrient could have a deleterious effect on health. 

It is rather obvious from this new study that ensuring zinc adequacy in our elderly population would significantly improve quality of life and cut down on infection-related health care costs.