Our testers and dietitians discuss whether MindBodyGreen…. Vitamins are for athletes to stay healthy. You may get all you need from the food you eat. Some athletes may benefits from vitamin supplements. Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a type of omega-3 fat that may improve many aspects of your health, from your brain to your heart.

Here are 12…. Vitamins are what your body needs to function and stay healthy. It's possible to get all the vitamins you need from the food you eat, but supplements…. Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that helps with blood clotting and healthy bones.

It can be found in leafy greens, vegetable oils, and broccoli. L-citrulline is an amino acid made naturally in your body. It may also be taken as a supplement to help boost exercise performance, lower blood…. Who needs to take vitamin C supplements, and how much is enough?

The answer may depend on your age and overall health. Dietary supplements are products such as vitamins, herbs, and minerals that may help provide nutrients and health benefits. They may have risks and…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 7 Nutrient Deficiencies That Are Incredibly Common. By Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN Ice on June 23, Iron deficiency. Iodine deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Calcium deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency.

Magnesium deficiency. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History. Jun 23, Written By Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN Ice. Share this article. Read this next.

Malanga Health Benefits and More. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Are mindbodygreen Supplements Worth It? Our Testers and Dietitians Explain.

By Kelsey Kunik, RDN. Are Vitamins Good for Athletes? READ MORE. What Are Vitamins and Can They Help Your Health? It's possible to get all the vitamins you need from the food you eat, but supplements… READ MORE.

Vitamin K: Everything You May Need to Know Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that helps with blood clotting and healthy bones. L-citrulline: Benefits, Side Effects and More L-citrulline is an amino acid made naturally in your body.

It may also be taken as a supplement to help boost exercise performance, lower blood… READ MORE. Vitamin C: Everything You Need to Know Who needs to take vitamin C supplements, and how much is enough? Research also suggests that iron deficiency anemia, specifically, accounts for about one-third of anemia cases in older adults.

Although some cases of iron deficiency anemia may be mild, anemia in older adults can contribute to a number of adverse outcomes, including longer hospital stays and even mortality. As a result, doctors will work to diagnose and treat even mild cases of anemia.

These can include :. Lower dietary intake of iron may cause symptoms if the body does not get enough iron to replenish healthy RBCs. People who follow certain diets, such as vegans, or those who do not consciously eat enough iron-rich foods may have an increased risk of anemia.

Learn about diet plans for iron deficiency. Even with a diet high in iron, a person lacking other important vitamins may still be at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. Deficiencies in B vitamins — such as vitamin B12 or vitamin B9 , which is also called folic acid or folate — are also quite common and may affect iron absorption.

If the body cannot use iron properly — for example, due to a gastrointestinal disorder — even a high intake of iron may not be sufficient to balance iron levels. Health issues that affect iron absorption may, therefore, cause iron deficiency anemia as a secondary issue.

Erythropoietin EPO is a hormone that the kidneys produce. EPO helps stimulate the production and repair of RBCs. Conditions that could affect EPO levels may also lead to iron deficiency anemia. These conditions include those affecting the kidneys and hormone-related disorders.

Bleeding may cause a person to lose enough healthy RBCs that they develop anemia. External bleeding may occur as the skin ages and becomes thinner , making cuts and scrapes more likely. These cuts and scrapes may also take longer to heal.

Conditions that cause internal bleeding , such as ulcers or issues in the stomach or intestines, may reduce the number of healthy RBCs in the body and lead to iron deficiency anemia.

Trauma or injury can also sometimes cause hidden internal bleeding, leading to blood loss. Some medications or combinations of medications may also increase the risk of internal bleeding, particularly with prolonged use. People in medical care who need regular testing may undergo very frequent blood draws, which could contribute to the issue.

Altogether, bleeding may be a contributing factor to RBC loss and anemia in many people. Research from notes that bleeding from medications and underlying conditions is the most frequent cause of iron deficiency anemia in older people.

Several medications can potentially alter the RBC count. Medications that affect the kidneys or hormones may cause imbalances in key compounds and impair the creation of RBCs. Medications that affect digestive absorption may make it difficult for the body to process iron or other important vitamins, such as B vitamins.

Some drugs, including chemotherapy drugs , can affect the bone marrow, which is responsible for making healthy RBCs. Combinations of some drugs may also have unknown effects that could alter how the body makes or uses RBCs. It is advisable for people to check the possible side effects of a drug and discuss the possibility of a drug causing symptoms of iron deficiency anemia with a doctor.

Some infections may cause issues with how the body uses iron. Complications from H. pylori infections can include anemia. Chronic conditions may cause various issues in the body, potentially affecting RBCs or other systems involved in making or using RBCs. Some examples include:. Response of putative indices of copper status to copper supplementation in human subjects.

Br J Nutr ; — Vitamins: fat and water soluble, analysis of. In: Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry: Instrumentation and Applications. Meyers RA ed. Department of Health. Nutrition and Bone Health with particular reference to calcium and vitamin D.

Report on Health and Social Subjects, no. The Stationery Office, London, England, Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report on Health and Social Subjects no. HMSO, London, England, Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine.

Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. National Academy Press, Washington DC, Khaw K-T, Bingham S, Welch A, et al. Relation between plasma ascorbic acid and mortality in men and women in EPIC-Norfolk prospective study: a prospective population study.

Lancet ; — Department of Health and Social Security. A Nutrition Survey of the Elderly. Report by the Panel on the Nutrition of the Elderly. Nutrition and Health in Old Age. Report by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy.

Finch S, Doyle W, Lowe C, et al. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: People Aged 65 Years or Over, vol. Report of the Diet and Nutrition Survey. MacLaughlin JA, Holick MF. Aging decreases the capacity of human skin to produce vitamin D.

J Clin Invest ; — Webb AR, Kline L, Holick MF. Influence of season and latitude on the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3. Exposure to winter sunlight in Boston and Edmonton will not promote vitamin D3 synthesis in human skin.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab ; — Webb AR, Pilbeam C, Hanafin N, Holick MF. An evaluation of the relative contributions of exposure to sunlight and of diet to the circulating concentrations of hydroxyvitamin D in an elderly nursing home population in Boston.

Slovik D, Adams JS, Neer RM, Holick MF, Potts JT Jr. Deficient production of 1,dihydroxyvitamin D in elderly osteoporotic patients. N Engl J Med ; — Dawson-Hughes B, Dallal GE, Krall EA, Harris S, Sokoll D, Falconer G.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on wintertime overall bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Ann Intern Med ; — Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS, Kra11 EA, Dallal GE, Falconer G, Green CL. Rates of bone loss in postmenopausal women randomly assigned to one of two dosages of vitamin D.

Binkley NC, Krueger DC, Engelke JA, Foley AL, Suttie JW. Vitamin K supplementation reduces serum concentrations of under-y-carboxylated osteocalcin in healthy young and elderly adults.

Dawson-Hughes B, Dallal G, Krall EA, Sadowski L, Sahyoun D, Tannenbaum S. A controlled trial of the effect of calcium supplementation on bone density in postmenopausal women. Heaney RP, Recker RR, Saville PD.

Menopausal changes in calcium balance performance. J Am Coll Nutr ; 1—5. Neives JW, Komar L, Cosman F, Lindsay R. Calcium potentiates the effect of estrogen and calcitonin on bone mass: Review and analysis. Am J Clin Nutr ; 18— Reid IJ, Ames RW, Evans MV, Gamble GD, Sharpe SJ.

Effect of calcium supplementation on bone loss in postmenopausal women. Article Google Scholar. Hall S, Greendale GA. The relation of dietary vitamin C intake to bone mineral density: Results from the PEPI study. Calc Tiss Res ; — Morton DJ, Barratt-Connor EL, Schneider DL. Vitamin C supplement use and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

J Bone Min Res ; — New SA, Bolton-Smith C, Grubb DA, Reid DM. Nutritional influences on bone mineral density: A cross-sectional study in premenopausal women. Chandra RK. Graying of the immune system. Can nutrient supplements improve immunity in the elderly? J Am Med Assoc ; — Meydani SN, Meydani M, Blumberg JB, et al.

Vitamin E supplementation and in vivo immune response in healthy elderly subjects: a randomized controlled trial. Bailey AL, Maisey S, Southon S, Wright AJA, Finglas PM, Fulcher RA.

Ferroli CE, Trumbo PR. Bioavailability of vitamin B-6 in young and older men. Am J Clin Nutr ; 68— Kant AK, Moser-Veillon PB, Reynolds RD. Effect of age on changes in plasma, erythrocyte, and urinary B-6 vitamers after an oral vitamin B-6 load. Löwik MHR, van den Berg H, Westenbrink S, Wedel M, Schrijver J, Ockhuizen T.

Dose-response relationships regarding vitamin B-6 in elderly people: a nationwide nutritional survey Dutch Nutritional Surveillance System. Lowik MRH, Schrijver J, van den Berg H, Hulshof KFAM, Wedel M, Ockhuizen T. Effect of dietary fiber on the vitamin B6 status among vegetarian and non-vegetarian elderly Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System.

J Am Coll Nutr ; 9: — Lowik MRH, van den Berg H, Kistemaker C, Brants HAM, Brussard JH. Interrelationships between riboflavin and vitamin B6 among elderly people Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System. Int J Vit Nutr Res ; — Manore MM, Vaughan LA, Carroll SS, Leklem JE.

Blood levels of antioxidants, zinc, and B vitamins were determined before and after supplementation. In addition, we assessed metabolic markers for B vitamins and intracellular buccal mucosa cell [BMC] antioxidant levels.

Nutritional status was assessed by using the Mini Nutritional Assessment MNA. Blood levels of B vitamins, folic acid, lutein, β-carotene, α-carotene, and α-tocopherol increased significantly.

Decreases in homocysteine levels and the thiamine pyrophosphate effect and an increase in holotranscobalamin were observed.

We found no increase in intracellular antioxidant levels of BMC. The MNA score in subjects at risk for malnutrition increased significantly, mainly owing to better perception of nutritional and overall health status. Micronutrient supplementation improved serum micronutrient status, with improved metabolic markers for B vitamins but not for intracellular antioxidant status, and was associated with improved self-perception of general health status.

Our data underline the necessity of determining micronutrient status and support the use of additional assessments for general health and quality of life in nutritional supplementation trials.

Peer Review reports. The aging population is increasing, and the risk of malnutrition increases with age [ 1 ]. As such, nutrition and nutritional supplementation for this population are becoming increasingly important. Older adults exhibit not only macronutrient deficiency but also micronutrient deficiency because demands for vitamins, minerals, and trace elements remain the same or are only slightly reduced in older people [ 2 ].

Deficiencies in folic acid, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin B12 are especially prevalent [ 3 , 4 ]. Malnutrition may have an impact on cognitive function and, among patients with Alzheimer's disease AD , cognitive and functional capacities worsen more rapidly in those who are most severely undernourished [ 5 ].

Several micronutrients, in particular vitamins B6 and B12 and folic acid with their effect on homocysteine Hcy metabolism [ 6 — 8 ], as well as antioxidants [ 9 , 10 ], have been shown to be associated with cognitive decline. Nevertheless, whether supplementation with micronutrients is capable of reducing the risk of dementia remains controversial [ 11 — 14 ].

Only a few trials of micronutrient supplementation in those who are cognitively impaired have been reported [ 15 — 18 ].

Little data is available regarding the absorption of nutritional supplements and their measurable effects on blood and tissue levels in elderly populations with mild or moderate cognitive impairment.

To describe vitamin status, researchers commonly use serum or plasma concentrations; however, the information provided by these measurements is limited because data about tissue vitamin status are unreliable.

Vitamin concentrations in blood can vary significantly and can be influenced by fasting, eating, or exercising [ 19 — 21 ]. Determination of intracellular levels would thus be advantageous for obtaining accurate knowledge about vitamin status.

Here we tested whether 2 months of micronutrient supplementation with a freely accessible over-the-counter supplement recommended for older adults leads to improved blood and intracellular micronutrient status in persons with mild or moderate cognitive impairment.

As a secondary hypothesis, we used the Mini Nutritional Assessment MNA to assess whether supplementation can also improve general health and nutrition. To our knowledge, this is the first interventional trial in which novel methods were used to measure tissue vitamin levels. The study was designed as an open-label, exploratory trial with micronutrient supplementation for 2 months in cognitively impaired elderly persons.

All participants were able to understand the implications and procedures of the study and gave written informed consent. Approval for this study was obtained from the ethics committee of the University of Ulm.

Inclusion criteria were age above 60 years and only mild or moderate cognitive impairment. The study population had a Mini-Mental State Examination MMSE average score of Anthropometric indicators included a mean baseline body mass index BMI of Exclusion criteria were acute illness, severe cognitive impairment, and severe depression.

Participants with additional vitamin supplementation prior to study inclusion were excluded from the analysis of the supplemented vitamin retinol: two participants; vitamin E: six; β-carotene, lutein, and lycopene: two; vitamin B1: two; vitamin B6: three; vitamin B six; folic acid: five; zinc: five.

Participants were instructed to take one capsule of a micronutrient supplement daily after breakfast for 2 months. Before and after supplementation, subjects underwent the same examination procedures: blood and buccal mucosa cells BMC were collected.

Nutritional assessments, MMSE, and GDS tests were administered. The participants were encouraged to maintain their dietary habits during the study period. A compliance telephone call took place 4—6 weeks after beginning the supplementation. Five participants dropped out prior to follow-up, so that 37 subjects completed the entire study.

At the second visit, blisters were collected from the micronutrient supplements and the number of tablets taken were counted: 29 participants took exactly 60 tablets, six took 59, and two took 54, showing high compliance overall without significant differences in intake.

Therefore we assessed all 37 participants as one group. The primary outcome was intracellular micronutrient status in BMC as well as in blood. The secondary outcome was assessment of general health and nutrition using the MNA. In addition to micronutrient blood levels, indirect markers of vitamin B status were determined to assess the metabolic effects of these vitamins.

Subjects were instructed not to take a capsule on the day of the second examination, but did not fast because of the clinical setting. In vitamin B12 deficiency, the serum concentrations of methylmalonic acid MMA and Hcy increase. Hcy is also an indicator of folic acid deficiency.

Holo-transcobalamin TC is the biologically available form of vitamin B12 [ 23 , 24 ]. A decrease in erythrocyte transketolase activity ETKA [ 25 ] or an increase in ETKA following stimulation with thiamine pyrophosphate TPP in vitro TPP effect represent improved markers for thiamine deficiency [ 26 , 27 ].

The levels of vitamins B1, B6, and B12; folic acid; zinc; albumin; and Hcy were analyzed by the clinical laboratory of the University Hospital. Concentrations of transketolase, the TPP effect, holo-TC, and MMA were determined by Synlab Ulm, Germany. For determination of carotenoids, α-tocopherol, and retinol by HPLC, we used the method proposed by Neal Craft [ 28 ].

For quantification, we used a plasma pool that was calibrated with the international certified standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Ascorbic acid AA and dehydroascorbic acid DHA were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC. The supernatant fraction was separated into two parts.

Tris 2-chlorethyl phosphate was added to one part to reduce the DHA contained therein and the samples were centrifuged again. For quantification, two additional vitamin C standards μM and 50 μM were used. All samples were analyzed in duplicate.

Reference values shown are in accordance with those from the respective laboratories or from previous publications [ 29 ].

To assess nutritional status, we determined both weight and BMI and applied the MNA. The item questionnaire was developed especially for older adults [ 30 ].

MNA was performed in 41 participants before the study began and in 36 participants at the end of the study. To compare these scores, we included only those subjects with available MNA before and after supplementation. This pilot study was undertaken to determine initial data for the primary outcome measure in order to perform a sample size calculation for a larger trial.

The total sample included 42 subjects before and 37 subjects after supplementation. All data were analyzed with SPSS version Normal distribution was checked by using a histogram and a q-q-plot. When there was normal distribution, the paired-samples t-test was used to detect significant differences in the same group, and the Wilcoxon test was used when the values had a skewed distribution.

The first patient was enrolled in October and the last patient finished the study in March After excluding subjects with prior additional vitamin supplement use, we included those with a measured value before and after supplementation for analysis.

Table 1 summarizes micronutrient levels in blood before and after supplementation. Most nutrients were well within the reference ranges or above, suggesting no overt malnutrition.

However, before supplementation, seven participants had α- and β-carotene concentrations below the reference values. For zinc levels, 1 of 12 women had a concentration below the reference, whereas 14 No significant change in zinc, retinol, or vitamin C was found after 2 months.

A significant increase in plasma concentration after supplementation was, however, detected for α-carotene; β-carotene; vitamin E; lutein; vitamins B1, B6, and B12; and folic acid.

After supplementation, all α-carotene levels were in the normal range. Only three persons had β-carotene levels below the reference value after supplementation. Lower levels of lycopene concentration were seen after supplementation, with the number of participants having lycopene levels under the reference value doubling afterward.

Therefore, only seven patients were included for vitamin C analysis. We did not find significant changes in micronutrient concentrations in BMC. Of note, however, is that the number of patients with concentrations of vitamin C above the detection limit increased.

Before supplementation, 11 To assess the intracellular vitamin supply in B vitamin metabolism, we analyzed specific metabolites; for vitamin B12, TC and MMA were used. Hcy increases in intracellular vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid deficiency. Low ETKA and a high TPP effect are markers for thiamine deficiency.

No significant decrease in MMA levels after supplementation was detected. Before supplementation, plasma levels of Hcy were elevated in 15 subjects, whereas afterward only five subjects had elevated Hcy concentrations. Although there was no significant change in ETKA, the decrease in the TPP effect was highly significant after supplementation.

Nutritional data are shown in Table 4. None of the volunteers was undernourished. The risk for malnutrition was mainly attributable to a poor subjective assessment of health status, selection of food, or multi-medication.

Comparison of the MNA scores of all 36 volunteers revealed no significant change B: However, when the MNA scores of the well-nourished subjects and those at risk for malnutrition were analyzed separately, the score of the subjects at risk for malnutrition increased significantly after supplementation B: The MMSE scores were unchanged subsequent to supplementation.

To analyze changes in health status by supplementation, the MNA asks how test persons consider their health status in comparison with others of the same age. The improvement of the subjectively assessed health status was also the main reason why the subjects achieved better MNA scores after supplementation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a typical micronutrient supplement on specific blood and tissue nutrient levels as the primary outcome and on general nutritional status assessed by MNA as the secondary outcome in cognitively impaired, independently living older adults in a routine setting.

We did not see overt malnutrition in our patient population; however, several epidemiological studies have shown that in cognitive impairment and AD, lower levels of micronutrients within the normal range are observed than among controls, suggesting that there is an additional need for specific micronutrients.

For zinc, we observed a micronutrient deficiency at baseline only in men. Our data show, however, that a significant improvement in selected micronutrients can be achieved after taking a micronutrient supplement for 2 months.

Our data are consistent with those of others in showing decreased zinc levels in men with mild cognitive impairment [ 31 ]. Nonetheless, after supplementation, plasma zinc levels did not increase. One possible reason could be decreased zinc absorption efficiency in elderly persons [ 32 ].

Inasmuch as a single capsule contains only 3. A second explanation might be that the study period 2 months might have been too short for zinc regarding its turnover time. In addition, normal baseline serum zinc concentrations were associated with a reduction in all causes of mortality.

In our study, the micronutrient status of vitamin E, β-carotene, and lycopene in BMC was within normal limits in most subjects before and after supplementation. With regard to vitamin C, only seven BMC concentrations were above detection levels despite normal vitamin C values in plasma at baseline.

The plasma and BMC concentrations of β-carotene and lycopene were significantly correlated before and after supplementation. Similarly, a study by Peng et al. also found a correlation between these micronutrients in plasma and BMC [ 34 ].

On the other hand, Pateau et al. found no correlation between the lycopene concentration in plasma and BMC [ 35 ]. Because the recommended daily amount of β-carotene is 2—4 mg and no recommendation for lycopene exists, and because the supplement contained only 0.

Plasma and BMC concentrations of vitamin E were significantly correlated before supplementation, similar to the findings reported in Peng et al.

Following supplementation, this correlation was lacking, indicating that BMC were completely saturated after supplementation, whereas plasma concentration is not saturable. Although the subjects had normal B vitamin levels in blood, 15 We observed an improvement in B vitamin status and a subsequent decrease in plasma Hcy.

Hcy is not only a risk factor for vascular disease, but also for cognitive disorders [ 7 ]. Quadri et al. found an association between dementia and hyperhomocysteinemia [ 36 ].

Many studies found that elderly people in particular have a deficiency in their supplies of vitamin B12 and folic acid [ 37 ]. In our study, most blood levels for vitamins B1, B6, and B12 and for folic acid were normal before supplementation.

After supplementation, these levels increased significantly. Thus, an increase in the amount of vitamin B12 in the supplement may help to achieve better efficacy. However, analysis of the required amount of supplementation requires further study with several levels of supplementation.

Despite there being normal vitamin B1 concentrations in the blood, the low ETKA in 18 Decreased ETKA might not be the best indicator in the elderly population owing to apoenzyme variations.

In a study comparing ETKA and the TPP effect in healthy elderly subjects 70—82 years of age with those in young subjects 19—37 years of age , researchers found that the older adults had a lower ETKA but a similar TPP effect and erythrocyte thiamine levels [ 38 ].

The TPP effect, however, decreased significantly, indicating improved intracellular vitamin B1 status and confirming the superiority of measuring the TPP effect.

Taken together, our results showed decreased Hcy levels, a decreased TPP effect, and improved antioxidant status after micronutrient supplementation.

This might be helpful for improving cognitive function. The FACIT study, which showed beneficial effects on global cognitive function in men and women aged 50—70 years , achieved decreased Hcy levels following 3-year supplementation with folic acid [ 13 ].

Supplementation with a multinutrient drink for 12 weeks improved memory delayed verbal recall in patients with mild AD [ 15 ]. In our study, the period of supplementation was probably too short to have a positive effect on cognition as measured by MMSE.

Micronutrient supplementation was associated with a significant increase in the MNA score in persons at risk for malnutrition. This improvement was mainly attributable to improved self-perception of general health status after micronutrient supplementation. The five dropouts in the MNA analysis may also have affected this result, especially considering the open-label character of the study.

The MNA is a well-established assessment tool for the identification of patients at risk for malnutrition regardless of cognitive condition [ 40 ] and has also been used in interventional studies for follow-up evaluation [ 41 , 42 ].

The MNA questions that showed significant intercorrelations in the study by Soini et al. However, the results of the MNA should not be overemphasized, because the aim of this supplementation was not the improvement of energy and protein deficiency.

Other studies have shown that subjective assessment of health does have predictive value [ 43 ]. Christensson et al. One reason they discussed was the possibility of a reduced incidence of infections.

Barringer et al. In Christensson et al. A significant risk reduction for infections was shown after 18 months of multivitamin supplementation in a subgroup of patients without dementia [ 46 ]. We did not assess infection rate in the present study. We propose that in future trials, an assessment for infections and for comprehensive quality of life should be incorporated.

The main strength of this study is its comprehensive approach for the determination of blood and intracellular nutrient status, as well as assessment of metabolic markers before and after supplementation, in addition to general nutritional assessment.

To our knowledge, the comprehensive and innovative methods used herein for micronutrient analysis are novel. One limitation is that we did not analyze all of the micronutrients contained in this trial supplement. In addition, the generalizability of our results is limited because of the sample size.

Moreover, without parallel controls, the primary outcome could not be separated from a time effect and the secondary outcome could not be separated from a placebo effect. A major limitation regarding self-assessed health status is the open-label character of this study, which could have biased the subjective assessment of the participants.

First, our data support the idea that micronutrient supplements need to be carefully analyzed and adjusted for specific groups.

Our data indicate that vitamin B1, vitamin B12, lycopene, and carotenoids should be given at higher doses than used here to optimize their supply. Second, placebo-controlled studies with longer periods of micronutrient supplementation in elderly persons at risk for malnutrition are required to further investigate the effects of micronutrient supplements on nutritional status and on quality of life.

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Am J Clin Nutr. CAS PubMed Google Scholar. Guerin O, Andrieu S, Schneider SM, Cortes F, Cantet C, Gillette-Guyonnet S, Vellas B: Characteristics of alzheimer's disease patients with a rapid weight loss during a six-year follow-up.

Clin Nutr. Article PubMed Google Scholar. Reitz C, Tang MX, Miller J, Green R, Luchsinger JA: Plasma homocysteine and risk of mild cognitive impairment. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. Selhub J, Bagley LC, Miller J, Rosenberg IH: B vitamins, homocysteine, and neurocognitive function in the elderly.

Zylberstein DE, Lissner L, Björkelund C, Mehlig K, Thelle DS, Gustafson D, Ostling S, Waern M, Guo X, Skoog I: Midlife homocysteine and late-life dementia in women. A prospective population study. Neurobiol Aging.

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mRNA Technology Neurology Oncology Ophthalmology Orthopedics. Featured Issue Featured Supplements. COVID Resources. US Pharm. Most older adults do not eat a healthy diet each day. Mild vitamin deficiencies are very common among seniors, and particularly so among the frail and institutionalized elderly.

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