[Food supplements--potential and limits: part 3].

Abstract

Ageing processes are associated with physiological changes, e.g. a reduction of metabolically active body mass and an impaired hunger-satiety regulation, which--combined with chronic diseases and psychosocial problems--significantly increase the risk for malnutrition. However, considering their nutrition and health status elderly people are a very heterogeneous group. The nutrition situation of "young" seniors does generally not differ from the situation of working-age adults while institutionalized elderly people and those in need of care often show signs of a global malnutrition. The critical nutrients in the nutrition of the elderly particularly include vitamin B12 and D. Six percent of all elderly have a manifest and 10 to 30% a functional vitamin B12 deficiency. The main cause is vitamin B12 malabsorption resulting from a type B atrophic gastritis. The functional vitamin B12 deficiency and the associated hyperhomocysteinemia are risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases and accelerate bone loss. With increasing age the vitamin D status is deteriorating. About 50% of the elderly living in private households is deficient in vitamin D; in geriatrics vitamin D deficiency is more the rule than an exception. This is caused by a reduced endogenous biosynthesis, low UVB exposure and a diet low in vitamin D. A vitamin D deficiency increases the risk for falls and fractures as well as the risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Also the overall mortality is increased.

• Authors: Alexander Ströhle, Maike Wolters, Andreas Hahn
• Journal: Medizinische Monatsschrift fur Pharmazeuten (Med Monatsschr Pharm) Vol. 36 Issue 9 Pg. 324-40; quiz 341-2 (Sep 2013) ISSN: 0342-9601 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Nährstoffsupplemente--Möglichkeiten und Grenzen. Teil 3: Supplemente im höheren Lebensalter.
• PMID: 24069646 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aging (physiology)
• Body Composition (physiology)
• Body Mass Index
• Dietary Supplements
• Energy Metabolism (physiology)
• Germany
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Nutritional Requirements
• Population Dynamics
• Protein-Energy Malnutrition (physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Risk Factors
• Social Marketing
• Vitamin B 12 Deficiency (physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (physiopathology, prevention & control)