A nutritional supplement has been found to support immunity in elderly, frail and patients at risk undergoing heart surgery. After every operation, rate of infection is a common risk, especially for patients who have impaired immunity.Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh report on the use of a nutritional supplement which enhances the immune system in patients undergoing surgery.
A group of 50 patients who had either a weak heart, over 70, or scheduled for mitral-valve patients (all risk factors for cardiac surgery),- were assigned to either the supplement or a placebo. The supplement contained L-arginine, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and yeast.In the group which took the supplement, there were fewer post-operative infections and had better-preserved kidney function than in the placebo group(four out of 12). This looks like a simple and safe way of improving the outcome for high-risk patients following cardiac surgery.
