Spending Qaulity Time
Pneumonia, even for the healthiest individuals is a dangerous disease. While most people get stuck in bed and miserable for a while, it can post much more severe issues for those with certain risk factors. In the elderly, pneumonia can be absolutely disastrous. Even if the disease itself is treatable, it can easily create much more serious issues very quickly.
Preventative measures are especially important for those who are around the elderly. Being sure to receive flu vaccinations, and staying away if you do develop the flu or pneumonia can help to keep the elderly healthy.
However, according to the US government if an elderly individual does come down with pneumonia having enough zinc has shown to be important for healing rates.
According to the USDA website:
Those with normal zinc status were not only less likely to develop pneumonia, they also had fewer new prescriptions for antibiotics, a shorter duration of pneumonia, and fewer days of antibiotic use compared with residents who had low zinc levels. In addition, mortality was lower in those with adequate blood zinc levels.
The study suggests that supplementation of zinc-deficient elderly may result in reduced risk of pneumonia. Still, the authors note that controlled clinical trials are needed to test efficacy of zinc supplementation as a low-cost intervention to reduce mortality due to pneumonia among vulnerable populations who already have low zinc levels.
Foods that are high in zinc include: include beef, lamb, pork, turkey, chicken, lobster, crabmeat, clams and salmon. Many foods that are high in protein tend to have more zinc. However, if for any dietary reason if meats are not for someone you can also find zinc in: milk and cheese, yeast, peanuts, beans, and wholegrain cereals, brown rice, whole wheat bread, potato and yogurt. The vegetarian food with the most zinc concentration is pumpkin seeds.
(Zinc information via: Nutritional Supplements Health Guide)
Tags: Clinical trial, Conditions and Diseases, Dietary supplement, elderly, elderly living, Health, Home Care, Medicine, Nutrition, Pneumonia, Protein, Research, senior citizens, Senior Health, Zinc
