Trace elements in nutrition of the elderly

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Trace element nutriture, especially in the elderly, is ill-defined. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council has established a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for only 3 of the 16 trace elements considered to be of biologic importance to humans. These elements—iron, zinc, and iodine—were discussed in part 1 of this article (page 231), together with the functions of trace elements in human metabolism and the factors that affect trace mineral requirements of the elderly. Part 2 discusses the trace elements for which the board to date has set only tentative levels, designated safe and adequate daily dietary intakes (SADDIs).