EXTENSIVE LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL-STATUS IN FIT, HEALTH-CONSCIOUS, ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN THE PARIS AREA

Objective: Nutritional status-related biological indexes were measured in fit, health-conscious elderly subjects in order to establish refer ence values for people over 70 years. Subjects: 103 men and 90 women a ged 70-89 years living freely in the Paris area volunteered to partici pate. Methods: Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric and b iochemical methods. Results: Serum protein and amino acid status was s imilar to that of young adults, with only 5.2% of the elderly subjects showing transthyretin concentrations <0.20 g/L, as well as decreased essential amino acid levels. Iron status, assessed in terms of serum a nd erythrocyte ferritin levels, total iron binding capacity and erythr ocyte protoporphyrin tended to be satisfactory, but iron depletion was detected in 8.8% of the subjects. Serum ferritin levels were elevated in 19.7% of the subjects. Folate and vitamin B-12 status was satisfac tory, while hypovitaminosis D was observed in 48.2% of cases. Conclusi on: Our findings suggest that, in aging uncomplicated by disease, nutr itional status is similar to that in younger adults, although the rang e of values tended to be wider, with a higher risk of certain nutrient deficiencies.