FOLATE AND VITAMIN-B-12 STATUS OF THE ELDERLY

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the relatio nship between estimated folate and vitamin B-12 intakes and their bioc hemical status in elderly persons. Subjects: Twenty-eight males and 30 females (> 65 years) were randomly selected from a larger sample of f ree-living elderly residents of Edmonton, Canada. Subjects were contac ted through a seniors' service organization. Any subject using vitamin supplements or alcohol other than the social drink was excluded from the study. Design: Dietary intake was estimated using a three-nonconse cutive-day food record. Biochemical status was assessed by measuring t he plasma levels of folate and vitamin B-12, as well as the red blood cell (r.b.c.) folate levels. Results: Average daily intakes of both fo late and vitamin B-12 met the recommended requirements. Their mean pla sma levels were within the accepted normal ranges in both males and fe males. However, probability analysis of dietary intake revealed an app reciable number of subjects at risk of deficiency, especially of folat e (male 26%; female 21%). According to the interpretive guidelines of r.b.c. folate levels, an appreciable number of the study subjects were also found to be at risk of folate deficiency (male 57%; female 67%). Conclusions: The folate status appears to be a greater concern than t he vitamin B-12 status for the elderly population. It seems that altho ugh mean values of dietary intake and plasma concentrations of folate may indicate nutritional adequacy, a proportion of the older populatio n may still be at nutritional risks. Sponsor: This research was partly supported by Kellogg's Canada. Descriptors: elderly, folate, vitamin B-12, dietary intake, biochemical status