Why Do Some People Live Longer?

Have you ever wondered what the secret is to long life? New research from the University Hospital Sant'Orsola-Malpighi in Bologna, Italy, indicates that some micronutrients, including selenium, zinc, and other essential vitamins and minerals, can strengthen the immune system by increasing the number and potency of natural killer (NK) cells, i.e., immune cells, in the elderly. This study--cited in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition--reports that "NK cells . . . may be important in early natural surveillance against cancer and infectious disease, which are among the principal causes of mortality among elderly people in the Western world."

The study involved 62 Italian men and women, in good overall health, ages 90 to 106. Results indicated that many in the group had micronutrient deficiencies--about half had insufficient selenium and zinc; others lacked adequate vitamins A, E, B₆ and folate. The researchers found that NK cells (in the group studied) were more abundant when levels of zinc and selenium were higher.