Elderly Individuals Deficient in Several Vitamins

A new study was published that indicates elderly individuals may be deficient in several vitamins and suggests multivitamin intake may be necessary in this population.

Researchers evaluated dietary intake of nutrients over 10 years in 78 well-functioning subjects between 70 and 75 years of age at the beginning of the study. The subjects were evaluated for total energy intake and dietary intake of vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin A and vitamin C at the beginning of the study and again after 10 years.

The results of the study showed that the mean energy and macronutrient intake were consistent with dietary guidelines at the beginning of the study and again after 10 years, based on the European Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI). The total energy intake did not decline over 10 years. At the beginning of the study, the intake of all vitamins exceeded the Lowest European RDI, with the exception of vitamin B1. At the beginning of the study, 44 percent of the men and 60 percent of the women were deficient in vitamin B1. After 10 years, 50 percent of the subjects were deficient in vitamin B2 and vitamin A. Vitamin C deficiency also increased from 3 percent of men and 2.3 percent of women at the beginning of the study to 6 percent of men and 4.5 percent of women after 10 years.

The study authors concluded, “Despite an adequate nutritional/functional status and a total energy intake that could be expected to cover the recommendations for micronutrients too, a considerable proportion of our successfully aging elderly were already deficient in, or at high risk of becoming deficient in, several essential vitamins.”

The researchers also stated, “Multivitamin supplementation may be necessary, even in healthy individuals, to ensure an adequate micronutrient intake in the elderly.”

Reference:

Toffanello ED, Inelmen EM, Minicuci N, Campigotto F, Sergi G, Coin A, Miotto F, Enzi G, Manzato E. Ten-year trends in vitamin intake in free-living healthy elderly people: the risk of subclinical malnutrition. J Nutr Health Aging. 2011;15(2):99-103.