Immune resilience after 40

Immunosenescence is the technical term for age-related immune decline. The thymus shrinks, antibody response weakens, acute response slows, chronic baseline inflammation rises ("inflammaging").

What modulates it

Sleep. Stress and cortisol. Nutritional adequacy (vitamin C, D3, zinc, selenium, B-vitamins). Regular moderate exercise. Body composition.

When supplementation helps

Particularly during stress, travel, or seasonal vulnerability. Vitamin D3, zinc, vitamin C, elderberry, and beta-glucans have the strongest evidence.