ENHANCEMENT OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The immune def ense system is know n to be adversely affected bythe aging process,and there is s trong evidence that a poorly functioningimmune syste m can contribute to decreased disease resistance i n theelderly.These immune declines affect acquired immunity (delayed -typehypersensitivity,antigen-spe cific an tibody production,the equilibriumof peripheral T and B lymphocyte subs ets,and the proliferative res ponseof T cells).Therefore,the e lderly could benefit fr om safe and ef fectivenutritional inter ventions that restor e cellular immune function s.So,thisstudy aimed at asses ses the health an d nutritional status of elderly,inaddition to find out the health benef its of adm inistration of pr obiotic,zinc,and glutamine.The stud y was c arried out on f ifty elderly (10 males and 40females),their age ranged from 60 to 75 years (median:69 y).T heywere chosen from s pecial elderly in stitute at Zagazieg city,Sharki aGovernorate.E lderly wh o have any into lerance to milk,have recenthistory of acute or chronic debilita ting illness,take immune suppr essivemedicines,have any disabilities or mental problems,and illiterate elderlywere exclude from the study.Low fat fe rmented milk (contains Lactobacillus acidophilus as 3 x10 4 organisms/g)were the bas e for each dietary s upplementation.Everyone of elderly s ubjects was recei ved 200 ml of fermented milksupplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus daily.Chosen elderly were.