Meertens Lesbia, Díaz Nayka, Solano Liseti, Baron Maria Adela, Rodríguez Adelmo
Centro de Investigaciones en Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, (CEINUT), Universidad de Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela.
Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2007 Mar;57(1):26-32.
The anatomical and physiological changes of aging make elderly people a vulnerable group to malnutrition and specific deficiencies of nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folate. This study was aimed to establish relationships among serum vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine concentrations and dietary intake and adequacy. Fifty five male and female elderly (60 and more years), free-living, were assessed. Measurements were: serum vitamin B12 and folate by radioimmunoanalysis (RIA), homocysteine by polarized fluorescence immunoassay, nutrient intake by three 24 hours recalls and food frequency questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined by Body Mass Index (BMI). Serum vitamin B12 and folate were at normal range (423,3+/-227,6 pmol/l and 6,4 +/- 4,5 mg/ml), but 17,5% of elderly had B12 deficiency and 12% had folate deficiency. Serum homocysteine was higher than reference values (15,8+/-4,4 mmol/l), but 47,5% showed concentrations above 15 mmol/L, male population showed higher mean value (p: 0,01). Nutrient intake was inadequate by deficiency. BMI indicated 11,8% of undernutrition, 29,4% of overweight and 20,6% of obesity A negative and inverse correlation between homocysteine and serum folate was found. Results suggest a biochemical deficiency of B12 and folate that is expressed as elevated homocysteine levels. These finding represent a high cardiovascular risk factor for this elderly group.
衰老带来的解剖学和生理学变化使老年人成为营养不良以及维生素B12和叶酸等特定营养素缺乏的易感人群。本研究旨在确定血清维生素B12、叶酸、同型半胱氨酸浓度与饮食摄入及充足性之间的关系。对55名60岁及以上的自由生活的老年男性和女性进行了评估。测量指标包括：采用放射免疫分析（RIA）测定血清维生素B12和叶酸，采用偏振荧光免疫测定法测定同型半胱氨酸；通过三次24小时回顾法和食物频率问卷评估营养素摄入量。通过体重指数（BMI）确定营养状况。血清维生素B12和叶酸处于正常范围（分别为423.3±227.6 pmol/l和6.4±4.5 mg/ml），但17.5%的老年人存在维生素B12缺乏，12%存在叶酸缺乏。血清同型半胱氨酸高于参考值（15.8±4.4 mmol/l），但47.5%的人同型半胱氨酸浓度高于15 mmol/L，男性人群的平均值更高（p：0.01）。营养素摄入因缺乏而不足。BMI显示11.8%的人营养不良，29.4%的人超重，20.6%的人肥胖。发现同型半胱氨酸与血清叶酸之间呈负相关且呈反比关系。结果表明存在维生素B12和叶酸的生化缺乏，表现为同型半胱氨酸水平升高。这些发现表明该老年人群存在较高的心血管危险因素。
