Vitamin Supplementation Therapy in the Elderly

Abstract

Vitamin supplementation in large dosages is increasingly common in the older population. Often, such supplementation is used in an attempt to improve an individual's health status. There have been claims that the effects of vitamins halt the normal aging process or prevent and cure disease. However, several recent studies have failed to demonstrate the efficacy of vitamin supplementation in preventing several types of cancer. In moderate dosages, supplementation with vitamin E (tocopherols) shows promise as a lipid antioxidant, and may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. However, before vitamin E becomes an accepted medical therapy, further long term studies must be undertaken to examine the safety and efficacy of such therapy. An adequate intake of vitamins should be ensured by adherence to a well balanced diet. However, the elderly are prone to circumstances that may prevent them from eating a balanced diet. In addition, there are several age-related medical conditions that may predispose individuals to dietary and vitamin deficiencies. To prevent vitamin deficiency diseases and their associated morbidity, modest vitamin supplementation may be necessary. However, supplementation should be reserved for individuals with documented deficiency or who are at risk of developing such deficiencies, especially those who are homebound or institutionalised. Vitamins taken in large dosages should be considered as drugs. These medicines, which are obtainable over-the-counter, should be carefully regulated to prevent toxicity.

Prevalence and characteristics of vitamin or dietary supplement users in Lausanne, Switzerland: the CoLaus study

“…Again, this increase might partly be due to the increase in age-related chronic diseases, although other hypotheses such as vitamin B 12 supplementation because of chronic gastritis or decreased absorption cannot be ruled out (Carmel, 1997;Thurman and Mooradian, 1997;Sharkey et al, 2002). Vitamin or dietary supplement users in Switzerland P Marques-Vidal et al Vitamin or dietary supplement users in Switzerland P Marques-Vidal et al Vitamin or dietary supplement users in Switzerland P Marques-Vidal et al Subjects with a higher educational level reported a higher frequency of VMS or DS intake, which is in agreement with several authors (Marques-Vidal et al, 2000;Waskiewicz et al, 2003;Brustad et al, 2004;Rock, 2007), but not with others (Rössler et al, 2006).…”

Antioxidant vitamins and their influence in diabetes mellitus

“…In addition, increased oxidative injury has been implicated in the premature age-related changes in diabetes [7]. Thus, older diabetic subjects are probably at higher risk of oxidative injury [8]. In the present article, the evidence for an increased oxidative load and its potential mechanisms are reviewed and the studies correlating antioxidant intake with cardiovascular outcomes are discussed.…”

Fat Soluble Vitamins and Immune System: An Overview

“…In summary, vitamin E is essential in maintaining cell membranes, contributing to their integrity, stability and function (39), and is an important nutrient for maintaining the IS, especially in the aged (39,(46)(47)(48).…”