M. Darlingraedeke et al., GROWTH-HORMONE AND IGF-I PLASMA-CONCENTRATIONS AND MACRONUTRIENT INTAKE MEASURED IN A FREE-LIVING ELDERLY POPULATION DURING A ONE-YEAR PERIOD, Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 17(4), 1998, pp. 392-397
Objective: To determine seasonal variations in circulating concentrati
ons of growth hormone and IGF-I in healthy, free-living elderly and to
identify correlates between dietary intake, growth hormone and IGF-I
concentrations in this population. Methods: Seven-day diet records and
plasma samples were collected throughout a 1-year period. Plasma grow
th hormone and IGF-I were determined by RIA. Dietary macronutrient int
ake was determined using Nutritionist TV. Results: The dietary intake
of the population corresponded to the established recommendations for
percentage of fat, carbohydrate and protein. Carbohydrate intake diffe
red significantly during the year, but protein and fat did not. Hormon
e concentrations were constant throughout the year, with no significan
t differences observed. No correlation between plasma growth hormone a
nd IGF-I was observed. Growth hormone and IGF-I concentrations did not
correlate with macronutrient intake, however subjects with the lowest
energy intakes tended to have higher growth hormone and lower IGF-I t
han those with higher energy intakes. Conclusion: This study provides
important information on the dietary intake and hormone concentrations
in normal, healthy elderly which will be useful in comparison with pe
rsons of similar age with complicating illnesses or nutrient deficienc
ies.