DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2012 Oct;82(5):355-9. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000131.
Raising numbers of elderly lead to a dramatic shift in demographics, accompanied by an increase in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia. All these conditions are thought to be modifiable by diet to some degree and mounting evidence indicates that improved intakes of certain vitamins can slow their progress. Strong evidence exists for the beneficial effect of vitamin D on the risk of bone fractures. Moreover, as chromosomal damage is a risk factor for dementia, supplementation with nutrients preventing these impairments are thought to have a beneficial effect on cognitive decline. However, the aging progress strongly affects nutrient intakes and utilisation due to social, physical and psychological changes. Data from dietary surveys suggest that many of the elderly in Europe have intakes for various vitamins that are well below the recommendations. The situation appears to be even more critical for elderly in institutions such as care homes. Given the increasing number of elderly and the importance of an adequate supply with vitamins, more research is warranted to find nutritional solutions to improve their wellbeing and health - which in the long run can be expected to contribute to reduce the ever increasing health care costs.
人口老龄化导致人口结构发生重大变化，同时癌症、心血管疾病和痴呆等非传染性疾病的发病率也在上升。人们认为，这些疾病在一定程度上可以通过饮食来改变，越来越多的证据表明，某些维生素的摄入量增加可以减缓其发展进程。维生素 D 对骨折风险有有益影响的证据确凿。此外，由于染色体损伤是痴呆的一个风险因素，因此人们认为，补充预防这些损伤的营养素对认知能力下降有有益影响。然而，由于社会、身体和心理的变化，人口老龄化会严重影响营养物质的摄入和利用。膳食调查数据表明，欧洲许多老年人的各种维生素摄入量远低于推荐量。对于养老院等机构中的老年人来说，情况似乎更加严峻。鉴于老年人数量的增加以及充足供应维生素的重要性，需要进行更多的研究，以找到改善他们健康和福祉的营养解决方案——从长远来看，这有望有助于降低不断增加的医疗保健成本。
