VITAMIN-E, VITAMIN-C, THIAMIN, RIBOFLAVIN AND VITAMIN-B6 STATUS OF INSTITUTIONALIZED ELDERLY INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTATION

A double-blind placebo trial of vitamins E, C, thiamin, riboflavin, an d vitamin B-6 has been undertaken in 84 elderly institutionalized subj ects (31 men and 53 women, aged > 65y). Five-day records and biochemic al determinations were used to assess vitamin status. The 1992 French Recommended Dietary Allowance (FRDA) and the RDA set in the United Sta tes were used to assess adequacy of intake. At baseline, vitamin statu s as assessed by dietary information and biochemical indices appeared deficient except for riboflavin (in females only). At the end of one m onth treatment with moderate doses of vitamins (100-400 % FRDA), serum vitamin E (only in males), serum ascorbate, and erythrocyte thiamin p yrophosphate levels had increased significantly. A significant improve ment was also effected in erythrocyte transketolase, glutathione reduc tase, aspartate aminotransferase activation coefficients. This was acc ompanied by a significant decrease in the number of subjects with defi cient values. However, the percentage of subjects with biochemical dec iciency for thiamin, riboflavin (only in males), and vitamin B-6 remai ned > 5%.