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Background Aging is accompanied by a dramatic decline in the interleukin (IL)-2 production capacity of human immune cells, thus making seniors more susceptible to a variety of age-related diseases. A common cause of impaired cytokine production in advanced age is a deficiency of the essential micronutrient zinc. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying a zinc deficiency-induced decrease in IL-2 production have not yet been satisfactorily elucidated. Recent animal and in vitro data suggested that the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM) $$\alpha$$ α plays a critical role in T cells´ disturbed IL-2 production in suboptimal zinc conditions. However, its role in the human aging process and the possibility of influencing this detrimental process by short-term zinc supplementation have not yet been evaluated. Results Comparing peripheral lymphocytes of 23 young and 31 elderly subjects with either high, intermediate, or deficient zinc status, we observed zinc-dependent regulation of the IL-2 production mediated by the transcription factor CREM $$\alpha$$ α . For the first time in humans, we report a mutual relationship between low zinc levels, high CREM $$\alpha$$ α expression, subsequent impaired IL-2 production, and vice versa. Remarkably, an average of only 6 days of in vivo zinc supplementation to zinc-deficient seniors was sufficient to rapidly improve zinc status, reverse CREM $$\alpha$$ α overexpression, and counteract subsequent low IL-2 production rates. Conclusions Our ex vivo and in vivo data identify zinc deficiency-mediated CREM $$\alpha$$ α overexpression as a key cellular mechanism underlying impaired IL-2 production in the elderly and point toward the use of zinc as a rapidly immune-enhancing add-on nutraceutical in geriatric therapy. Graphical abstract During the aging process, there is a progressive decrease in zinc status, which in turn leads to overexpression of the transcription factor CREM$$\mathrm{\alpha }$$ α in peripheral lymphocytes. CREMα is a negative regulator of the IL-2 gene, the overexpression of which dramatically limits adequate IL-2 production. This deleterious mechanism can be counteracted by short-term oral zinc administration, which can adjust IL-2 production in old, zinc-deficient individuals to a level similar to that of young adults.