Recent studies suggest that the immune system ages more rapidly than is commonly perceived, even in healthy individuals. Chris Rhodes, a biochemist and longevity expert, points out that the effectiveness of the immune system noticeably decreases as the years go by. “Immune aging, like all aging, means that our immune systems begin to slow down, make more mistakes, and are less effective at protecting us from infections as we get older,” Rhodes told Fox News Digital. “After age 35, our immune system becomes increasingly less able to adapt to new antigens, allergens, and other inflammatory stimuli,” the specialist warns. Signs of a Deteriorating Immune System: Experts warn about symptoms that may indicate an aging immune system, such as: 1) increased infections and colds; 2) slow wound healing; and 3) reduced responses to vaccines.

Also, fatigue, joint stiffness, aches and pains, and recurrent viral outbreaks could be indicating a weakened immune system.

Strategies to Maintain Immune Vitality

It is possible to counteract immune aging through lifestyle changes. Recommendations include:

Nutrients and Diet:

Nutritional Diversity. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to improve immune function.

Supplements. Use supplements such as vitamin D and omega-3 carefully and under medical supervision.

Healthy Habits:

Regular Exercise. Promote a regimen that includes both aerobic and strength training to optimize immune health.

Restorative Sleep.

Prioritize seven to eight hours of quality sleep to maintain the effectiveness of the immune system.

Importance of social connection

Furthermore, It is recommended to have more physical contact and even resort to humor and laughter, which can increase oxytocin, improving the regulation of stress and inflammation, which has a positive impact on immune function. As research on the aging of the immune system advances, integrating these approaches can contribute to healthy and prolonged aging.Common diseases in people with an aging immune system include infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. The aging process of the immune system, known as immunosenescence, causes increased susceptibility to respiratory, urinary, and skin infections, as well as infections by intracellular microorganisms such as herpes, tuberculosis, and Legionella. This is because the immune system loses effectiveness in eliminating and controlling pathogens and latent microorganisms. Furthermore, immune aging is linked to an increased incidence of cancer, as the decrease in the activity of cells such as NK cells reduces the ability to control tumor growth and metastasis. There is also an increase in the incidence of autoimmune diseases due to impaired immune tolerance and an inflammatory imbalance. Among the most frequent and serious infections in older adults are pneumonia, influenza, infective endocarditis, and tetanus, with a higher rate of complications and mortality. The response to vaccines is also less effective in this population, increasing the risk of contracting these diseases. How stress influences the aging of the immune system: Stress negatively impacts the aging of the immune system, especially when it is chronic. While acute stress can even have beneficial effects, prolonged stress leads to dysregulation of the nervous, endocrine, and metabolic systems, which impairs immune function. This chronic stress accelerates the process of immune aging, known as immunosenescence, which involves a decline in immune response, increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other chronic illnesses. Among the mechanisms involved is chronic inflammation (inflammaging), which is both a cause and a consequence of immunosenescence. Stress can reduce the activity of telomerase, a protein that protects cellular DNA, thereby accelerating telomere shortening, a biological marker of cellular aging. This causes immune cells to age faster and become less effective in their function. Consequently,The immune system loses its ability to adapt and protect the body, increasing disease-related morbidity and mortality in older adults.

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