KEEPS GOING Multivitamin and mineral supplements for the elderly
By SUNLY COO, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
What old age would be like is largely determined by our dietary and health habits from birth to midlife; but it is also significantly influenced by the nutritional and lifestyle choices we make in our twilight years.
"No single segment of our society can benefit more from regularly performed exercise and improved diet than elderly adults," wrote Drewnowski and Evans in the Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. The message is clear: it's never too late to start making changes. But beneath that optimistic note lies the implication that many ageing people have inadequate nutritional intake, an observation echoed in volumes of literature. Researchers do not have to look far for possible causes. From chronic illnesses, to disability, malabsorption of nutrients, limited dietary selection, and a dulled appetite because of depression, listlessness, or even the use of dentures, the factors contributing to a heightened risk of malnutrition seem endless. Ironically, poor nutrition exacerbates most of these conditions, leaving the person more susceptible to a host of other diseases. When nutrient intake is insufficient, vitamin and mineral supplementation should be seriously considered with the guidance of a physician. Experts advise against taking megadoses of one or more nutrients, including vitamins A and C, because they can interfere with medication, block the absorption of other nutrients, or be highly toxic. A safer alternative would be to take the regular all-in-one or low-dose multivitamin supplements. But how effective are nutrients in tablets? Studies have shown that supplemental antioxidants-specifically beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, and E, selenium, and zinc-may offer some protection against mental decline, even reducing the risk by as much as 36 percent. A six-month supplementation with vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate effectively decreased total plasma- homocysteine concentrations-associated with enhanced risk of vascular diseases-in women over 60. A daily supplement of 1000 mg of elemental calcium as calcium carbonate and 400 IU of vitamin D3 among the elderly significantly reduced their risk of severe fractures. Folic-acid supplementation slowed the decline in hearing among the elderly with high homocysteine levels, a likely culprit for age-related deteriorating auditory capability. There are many more studies supporting the effectiveness of supplementation. Because of physiological changes, the elderly have different nutritient-specific concerns. Most, if not all, of these concerns can be addressed with appropriate vitamin/mineral supplementation, where dietary limitations exist. o Older people need higher levels of antioxidants to fight off free radicals associated with ageing, according to experts at Tufts University who developed the Food Guide Pyramid for Older Adults, targeted for people 50 years old and above, especially those 70 and older. Free radicals are linked to macular degeneration, certain types of cancer, and Alzheimer disease, a progressive dementia that affects more elderly each year. One study showed that a high-dose combination of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc significantly reduced risk of vision loss from macular degeneration. o Because the stomach secretes less hydrochloric acid with age, many old people, particularly those with atrophic gastritis, cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 that is present in animal foods. Since the nutrient is vital to nerve function and decreases the likelihood of dementia, experts recommend easier-to-absorb alternatives: vitamin B12-fortified foods and supplements. o The ability to absorb folic acid also deteriorates with age. Sufficient amounts of the nutrient are essential to maintain mental sharpness, and decrease risks of stroke and cardiovascualar diseases. o Vitamins B6 and E offer protection to an ageing immune system that leaves the elderly more prone to illnesses. Vitamin B6 also aids in retaining normal cognitive functions. o Bone density declines with age, elevating risks of osteoporosis and fractures. To inhibit the process, high intakes of vitamin D and calcium are recommended. o An ageing skin's ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight is compromised. Compounding the vitamin deficiency problem is the homebound lifestyle of many elderly. M |
