Healthy Longevity and Immune System: A Brief Introduction

Since 1990 it has been observed a significant increase of the global aged population with a perspective of 1.5 billion of older individuals by 2050 and 3 billion by 2100 due to increased longevity. To guarantee healthy longevity to this population, public policies focused in economic, social and health aspects are crucial. Healthy longevity is influenced by genetics, habits (i.e. healthy nutrition, physical activity, non-smoking) and environment. Several changes occur in organs and tissues during the ageing process, therefore the immune system also suffers alterations that could play a role in age-related conditions (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, tumoral, and infectious). Recently we had a clear example of how an infectious disease (COVID-19) is exacerbated in aged patients with high morbidity and mortality (mainly in those with comorbidities). It was found an association between elevated morbidity/mortality after SARS-CoV-2 and increased expression of inflammageing and immunosenescence markers. To fight immunosenescence it has been proposed that healthy nutrition and supplements (vitamins B, D, C, or E, essential minerals, and amino acids) could be used. In addition, physical activity has been suggested for the maintenance of adequate function of respiratory and cardiovascular systems, memory, and immune system. Considering the complexity of healthy longevity, this introduction will briefly comment some alterations occurring in the innate and adaptive immunity during the ageing process and possible alternatives of intervention in order to reach old age with functionality. The complete discussion about these changes will be distributed in the Chaps. 2 – 9 .