RETRACTED: Influence of multinutrient supplement on immune responses and infection-related illness in 50-65 year old individuals (Retracted article. See vol. 36, pg. 757, 2016)

The effect of a micronutrient supplement containing physiological amounts of trace-elements and vitamins on selected immune responses and infection was evaluated in 44 apparently healthy subjects aged 50-65 years for 12 months. At the baseline, 19 out of 44 (43.2%) subjects showed evidence of one or more nutrient deficiencies. In the supplemented group, all individuals except one showed normal nutrient levels when tested at 6 months; one person with iron deficiency persisting at 6 months required another 6 months of therapy and showed normal iron levels at 12 months. In the control group, there was no change in the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies. There was a significantly higher antibody response to influenza virus vaccine and an increase in the number of T lymphocytes and CD4+ helper T cells in the supplemented group compared with the placebo group. Interleukin-2 production was higher in the treated individuals compared with controls. Among the supplemented croup, the immune responses increased more in those with one or more nutrient deficiencies compared with those with normal nutrient levels. The total number of days of infection during the one year of observation was 11.1 +/- 0.8 in the supplemented group and 23.7 +/- 2.1 in the placebo group (p < 0.01). The beneficial effect on morbidity was of greater magnitude during the 7-12 month period of the trial. It is concluded that supplementation with modest amounts of vitamins and trace-elements results in higher immune responses and lower incidence of infection in the 50-65 year age group. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.