This food compound may help vaccines work better in older adults
Researchers have found that a natural compound called spermidine may help improve vaccine responses in older adults. By reducing immune system aging, the supplement could help those who struggle to develop strong protection after vaccination.
Why it matters
This could lead to more effective immunization strategies for the elderly, potentially reducing the severity of infectious diseases in aging populations.
A naturally occurring compound called spermidine may help strengthen vaccine responses in some older adults by reducing biological signs of immune system aging, according to research published in Aging Cell .
The immune system becomes less efficient as people grow older, making it harder for the body to fight infections and respond fully to vaccines. This gradual decline, known as immunosenescence, can increase vulnerability to age-related health problems and leave some older adults with weaker protection after vaccination.
The research was led by Dr. Katja Simon, Group Leader of the Cell Biology of Immunity lab at the Max Delbr ck Center, and Dr. Ghada Alsaleh, Associate Professor at the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Sciences of University of Oxford (NDORMS).
Their findings suggest that taking a daily spermidine supplement improved several measures of immune response following COVID-19 vaccination.
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