| September
18, 2007
Supplements for over 50s may boost diet deficiency
By Alex McNally
18/09/2007 - Men and women over the age of 51 who regularly
take dietary supplements are more likely to get adequate amounts
of several vitamins and minerals than those who do not, a study
suggests
Researchers writing in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association
also found that a substantial portion of people in this age range
do not get enough vitamins and minerals from their diet alone
and the use of supplements is necessary.
Not only do these results give the supplements industry a boost,
but they could also help supplement providers in deciding which
age group to target with marketing, as well as giving a clear
indicator of what nutrients should be included.
The researchers had set out to determine the efficacy of supplement
practices in compensating for dietary deficits in American men
and women.
They found that fewer than half of the 4,384 adults studied took
supplements daily. Those who did met recommended levels for vitamins
A, B and C as well as iron, folate, and zinc,
Researcher Rhonda Sebastian from the US Department of Agriculture
said: "These widespread inadequacies should be considered
when developing recommendations for supplement use for clients
in this age group."
Sebastian and her team found that from diet alone a significantly
smaller proportion of supplement users than nonusers had intakes
below the estimated average requirement (EAR) for vitamins A,
B-6, and C; folate; zinc; and magnesium. Less than half of both
users and nonusers met the EAR for folate, vitamin E, and magnesium
from food sources alone.
Supplements improved the nutrient intake of older adults, with
more than 80 per cent of users meeting the EAR for vitamins A,
B6, B12, C, and E, folate, iron, and zinc, but not magnesium,
the researchers found.
However, some supplement users, particularly men, exceeded tolerable
upper intake levels for iron and zinc and a small percentage of
women exceeded the upper intake level for vitamin A, they added.
They concluded that a large "proportion of older adults
do not consume sufficient amounts of many nutrients from foods
alone. Supplements compensate to some extent, but only an estimated
half of this population uses them daily.
"Modifying dietary attitudes may result in a higher rate
of supplement use in this at-risk population."
NutraIngredients.com had not seen the full results of the study
prior to publication.
Source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association
Older Adults Who Use Vitamin/Mineral Supplements Differ from Nonusers
in Nutrient Intake Adequacy and Dietary Attitudes
doi:10.1016/j.jada.2007.05.010
Authors: Rhonda Sebastian, Linda Cleveland, Joseph Goldman, Alanna
Moshfegh.
Source: www.nutraingredients.com
Comments:
This study indicates that men and women over the age of
50 do not get enough vitamins and minerals from their diet
alone, and benefit from taking supplements. This study found
that fewer than half of the 4,384 adults studied took supplements
daily. Those who did take supplements met recommended blood
levels for vitamins A, B and C as well as iron, folate,
and zinc. The researchers found that supplements improved
the nutrient intake of older adults, with more than 80 per
cent of users meeting the EAR (estimated average requirements)
for vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and E, folate, iron, and zinc,
but not magnesium. Evidence such as this one compiled from
numerous trials suggests strong links between intake of
supplements and protection against various chronic diseases.
This study confirms Dr. Rath's outstanding research findings
about the role of combination/synergy of specific cellular
nutrients in prevention or even reversal of cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. Dr.
Rath's research findings were supported by many independent
research and clinical studies. For more information please
visit the research website at www.drrathresearch.org
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