Vitamins and minerals
are irreplaceable for the organism as they could not by synthetized and need to
be delivered with the food. Vitamins have numerous functions- some of them
serve as cofactors of many enzymes, participating in the metabolism. Other are
antioxidants and they role is to eliminate the free oxygen radicals formed in
many chemical reactions within the body, as they are highly toxic. Some other
vitamins participate in the regulation of the cell growth and differentiation.
By convention the term "vitamin" is also used to mark the minerals,
as well as other nutriments as essential amino acids and essential fatty acids,
that could be neither synthetized by the organism alone.
Causes for vitamins
and minerals deficiency in the elderly
With age the supply of the organism with the right amount of vitamins and minerals becomes a challenge. This is due to many reasons. As vitamins and minerals are mainly absorbed from the food, digestive problems are the main risk factor for deficiency. They include:
• Loss of appetite: normally the appetite diminishes with age. Reasons for lost appetite could also be side effects from medications taken for other conditions. This could also be an early symptom of gastric or colon cancer which prevalence increases with age
• Loss of teeth: according to the statistics seniors over age 65 have 19 out of 32 teeth on average left, while nearly 30% of them have none left. The insufficient chewing of the food hardens its future assimilation and vitamins extraction. Problems with swallowing are also not rare.
• Atrophic gastritis: a common condition in older people, which disturbs the absorption of vit. B12 and may eventually lead to anemia
• Intestinal problems: most of the nutrients are being absorbed in the intestines, so problems like constipation or incontinence, ulcers and inflammations could lead to malabsorption
Apart from the gastrointestinal problems, other causes for lack of vitamins could be:
• Poverty: seniors often can not afford good quality food, that would deliver the necessary nutrients. In addition the tight budget may stop them from visiting a doctor or a dentist and worsen their health.
• Disability: physical disability may lead to impossibility to shop, cook or eat normally. Decreased sun exposure, due to disability, may influence the levels of vitamin D.
• Depression: it is a common disorder in elderly, that could result in lack of desire to eat, to cook for himself or to take care of his health
• Memory problems: even of the right supplement is being prescribed, older people may forget to take it on a regular basis
Vitamins and minerals needs
People aged over 50 usually need bigger quantities of some vitamins and minerals. They could be provided through diet change or through additional supplement, if the individual's health condition requires it.
• Vitamin B12- indispensable for the synthesis of DNA. It is particularly important for the red blood cells and the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is found in fish and sea food, dairy products, eggs, liver and meat. Some foods, such as cereals are fortified with vitamin B12 and are a good choice for old adults that need increased quantities of this vitamin. Recommended doses are 2.4 micrograms a day.
• Vitamin B6- another vitamin needed for healthy red blood cells. Naturally found in bananas, potatoes, chicken meat and fortified foods. Its deficiency may cause skin problems, infections and hallucinations. Recommended doses- 1.5 mg/ day for women and 1.7 mg/ day for men.
• Calcium- very important for bones and teeth strength. Its deficiency is one of the causes for osteoporosis and pathological fractures in older adults. Calcium is contained in milk and milk products, eggs, fish, cabbage, beans, nuts, green leafy vegetables like spinach, , oranges, soy. As for B-group vitamins, there are many foods, fortified with calcium.
• Vitamin D- regulates the metabolism of calcium and is therefore essential for healthy bones. Sun light is necessary for vitamin D to be synthetized. As older adults with different disabilities tend to stay more at home, they need additional supplementation with vitamin D. Recommended doses are from 400 to 2000 UI (international units) a day. It is contained in dairy products, fish and cereals.
Your doctor may also prescribe specific supplements depending on your health condition. For example vitamin A is beneficial for the vision, while vitamin E is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
With age the supply of the organism with the right amount of vitamins and minerals becomes a challenge. This is due to many reasons. As vitamins and minerals are mainly absorbed from the food, digestive problems are the main risk factor for deficiency. They include:
• Loss of appetite: normally the appetite diminishes with age. Reasons for lost appetite could also be side effects from medications taken for other conditions. This could also be an early symptom of gastric or colon cancer which prevalence increases with age
• Loss of teeth: according to the statistics seniors over age 65 have 19 out of 32 teeth on average left, while nearly 30% of them have none left. The insufficient chewing of the food hardens its future assimilation and vitamins extraction. Problems with swallowing are also not rare.
• Atrophic gastritis: a common condition in older people, which disturbs the absorption of vit. B12 and may eventually lead to anemia
• Intestinal problems: most of the nutrients are being absorbed in the intestines, so problems like constipation or incontinence, ulcers and inflammations could lead to malabsorption
Apart from the gastrointestinal problems, other causes for lack of vitamins could be:
• Poverty: seniors often can not afford good quality food, that would deliver the necessary nutrients. In addition the tight budget may stop them from visiting a doctor or a dentist and worsen their health.
• Disability: physical disability may lead to impossibility to shop, cook or eat normally. Decreased sun exposure, due to disability, may influence the levels of vitamin D.
• Depression: it is a common disorder in elderly, that could result in lack of desire to eat, to cook for himself or to take care of his health
• Memory problems: even of the right supplement is being prescribed, older people may forget to take it on a regular basis
Vitamins and minerals needs
People aged over 50 usually need bigger quantities of some vitamins and minerals. They could be provided through diet change or through additional supplement, if the individual's health condition requires it.
• Vitamin B12- indispensable for the synthesis of DNA. It is particularly important for the red blood cells and the nervous system. Vitamin B12 is found in fish and sea food, dairy products, eggs, liver and meat. Some foods, such as cereals are fortified with vitamin B12 and are a good choice for old adults that need increased quantities of this vitamin. Recommended doses are 2.4 micrograms a day.
• Vitamin B6- another vitamin needed for healthy red blood cells. Naturally found in bananas, potatoes, chicken meat and fortified foods. Its deficiency may cause skin problems, infections and hallucinations. Recommended doses- 1.5 mg/ day for women and 1.7 mg/ day for men.
• Calcium- very important for bones and teeth strength. Its deficiency is one of the causes for osteoporosis and pathological fractures in older adults. Calcium is contained in milk and milk products, eggs, fish, cabbage, beans, nuts, green leafy vegetables like spinach, , oranges, soy. As for B-group vitamins, there are many foods, fortified with calcium.
• Vitamin D- regulates the metabolism of calcium and is therefore essential for healthy bones. Sun light is necessary for vitamin D to be synthetized. As older adults with different disabilities tend to stay more at home, they need additional supplementation with vitamin D. Recommended doses are from 400 to 2000 UI (international units) a day. It is contained in dairy products, fish and cereals.
Your doctor may also prescribe specific supplements depending on your health condition. For example vitamin A is beneficial for the vision, while vitamin E is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Herbal supplements
Herbal supplements are extracted from plants and considered safe. However there are no sufficient studies that prove their efficacy and security, so they should be taken with care. One of the most popular herbal extracts are: gingko biloba, Echinacea, ginseng, acai, aloe, flaxseed, goji.
Conclusion
Vitamins supplementation in elderly poses many problems. That's why patients should be advised not only to buy this or that supplement, but also to eat healthy. This means they should include a lot of fruits and vegetables as well as fish, milk products and meat in their menu.
Vitamins supplementation in elderly poses many problems. That's why patients should be advised not only to buy this or that supplement, but also to eat healthy. This means they should include a lot of fruits and vegetables as well as fish, milk products and meat in their menu.
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