Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: Barriers and Challenges for Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to deficiencies of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B₁₂. Despite the availability of fortified foods in the United States, intakes of these nutrients among the elderly remain inadequate. Dietary supplements may be a convenient way to improve nutritional status within this population group. This article provides practical and evidence-based recommendations regarding the use of single vitamin/mineral and multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplements in older adults and provides details on calcium and vitamin D, B₁₂, E, and K. Some single-nutrient supplements have shown benefits for preventing or reducing risks for chronic diseases. Although MVM supplements have not been shown to prevent several major chronic diseases, they do substantially increase vitamin and mineral intakes and blood concentrations, thus improving overall micronutrient status. Older adults who use MVM and/or vitamin/mineral supplements to foster better nutritional and health status should read labels carefully and consult their health care provider to ensure appropriate dietary supplement use.

KEYWORDS:

• Calcium
• dietary supplements
• multivitamin supplements
• older adults
• vitamin B₁₂
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• vitamin K

Notes

^a From recommended dietary allowance for vitamin E, vitamin B₁₂; adequate intake for calcium, vitamin K; and 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for vitamin D.

^b Ready-to-eat cereals available at local grocery stores in Athens, GA. Some varieties of Total Cereal have 1,000 mg of calcium/cup (General Mills Inc., Minneapolis, MN).

^c Supplements available at local grocery and drug stores in Athens, GA. (Centrum®, Centrum® Silver, One A Day Women's, One A Day Men's, and Equate Complete Multivitamin).

^d Supplements available at local grocery and drug stores in Athens, GA. (Nature Made, Spring Valley, OSCAL, Citracal, Posture D, Equate, Nature's Bounty, and Source Naturals).

^e Combination of calcium (Ca) and vitamin D supplements are also available. 600 mg Ca with 100, 125, 200, 400 IU vitamin D/tablet; 250, 315, or 500 mg Ca with 200 IU vitamin D/tablet.

^f Older adults defined as 61 years and older (Ervin et al., 2004a, 2004b).

^g Older adults defined as 51 years and older (Moore et al., 2005).

^h The chemical form is usually α-tocopherol and is labeled as “d” in supplements or foods, which is preferred over the “dl” form.

ⁱ Older adults defined as 51 years and older (Institute of Medicine, 2000a).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sohyun Park

Sohyyn Park (PhD) was Research Assistant

Mary Ann Johnson

Mary Ann Johnson (PhD) is Professor, Department of Foods and Nutrition and Faculty of Gerontology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Joan G. Fischer

Joan G. Fischer (PhD, RD, LD) is Associate Professor