Good nutrition is essential for overall well being throughout life. In elderly people vitamin deficiencies are seen often reports HelmholtzZentrum munchen: German Research Center for Environmental Health.
About 50 percent of people who are 65 years old and older have suboptimal levels of vitamin D in their blood. And about 25 percent of older adults have suboptimal levels of vitamin B12. Furthermore, in eleven percent of elderly adults iron levels were found to be too low, and about nine percent did not have adequate folate in their blood.
Professor Annette Peters says that this study has confirmed the vital results of the
last German National Nutrition Survey (NVS II) which showed there is generally an
insufficient intake of micronutrients from foods. This is a highly significant issue, particularly in view of the growing elderly population.
Most of the elderly people with suboptimal vitamin levels were very old, not physically active or frail. These groups have an increased risk for deficiencies of micronutrients. Older people should take vitamin-containing supplements and maintain a healthy and nutritious diet.
This study has been published in the journal Nutrients. It is of interest that regular and appropriately dosed micronutrient supplementation may help elderly adults, who otherwise are not able to follow dietary guidelines, to satisfy their requirements, and to prevent chronic diseases associated with malnutrition.
