ESTIMATION OF VITAMIN NEEDS - RIBOFLAVIN, VITAMIN-B-6 AND ASCORBIC-ACID ACCORDING TO BLOOD PARAMETERS AND FUNCTIONAL-COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL INDEXES IN A SELECTED WELL-ESTABLISHED GROUP OF ELDERLY IN A HOME FOR THE AGED IN ISRAEL

Objective: To evaluate the vitamin status and the effects of micronutr ient supplementation as determined by biochemical assays and functiona l, cognitive and emotional tests in a selected well-established group of elderly people, average age above 80 years. Methods: Dietary consum ption was evaluated by in-person interview using a food frequency ques tionnaire. Medical, biochemical, nutritional, functional, cognitive an d behavioral parameters were assessed in elderly subjects (n = 12) liv ing in a home for the aged, at baseline and after 42 days of micronutr ient supplementation. The same parameters were assessed in additional subjects (n = 9), at baseline only. Results: In all subjects, most of the micronutrients were not supplied at an adequate level. Supplementa tion of micronutrients at a level of 10D% RDA improved parameters rela ted to vitamin status, the activation coefficients (AC) of GR (glutath ione reductase) and AST, blood ascorbic acid concentrations, functiona l-cognitive evaluation values, blood pressure, pulse rate, and serum c holesterol and triglycerides levels. At baseline, the following parame ters significantly correlated with vitamin intake and were used for th e estimation of vitamin needs: AC of GR, Tinetti Balance Evaluation, F IM and recorded morbidity. Conclusions: On the basis of limited availa ble data, calculation of vitamin needs based on regression lines resul ted in estimates (mg/day) of >150 for ascorbic acid, >3 for riboflavin , >3 for Vitamin B-6. Expanding the current practice of supplementing micronutrients at a level of 100% RDA (in tablet form) that already ex ists in some elderly societies should be considered after a comprehens ive study in a large group of elderly people.