Zinc Status and Pneumonia Risk in Older Adults

Educational only — not medical advice.

Adequate zinc levels appear to play an important role in immune function—especially in older adults. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Oct;86(4):1167–73) examined whether zinc status affected the risk of pneumonia among elderly nursing home residents.

The study followed 617 residents over age 65 for one year. All participants received vitamin and mineral supplementation that provided half of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Researchers measured serum zinc levels at both the beginning and end of the study period.

Key Findings

  • Residents with normal zinc levels had a 50% lower risk of developing pneumonia compared to those with low zinc levels.

  • The overall mortality rate (from all causes) was 39% lower in participants with adequate serum zinc.

These results suggest that maintaining healthy zinc levels may support immune resilience and reduce pneumonia risk in older adults—an important consideration for long-term care populations.