Requirement and supply of vitamin C, E and beta-carotene for elderly men and women.

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of age, smoking, alcohol consumption on the requirement of vitamin C, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol.

DESIGN

The participants of this cross-sectional survey were recruited from a multistaged, stratified random household sample in 1987/88.

SUBJECTS

2006 healthy men and women aged 18-88 years, living in private homes. The participation rate was approximately 70%. Vitamin intake data were calculated from an estimated 7-day food record.

SETTING

Nationwide German Nutrition Survey.

RESULTS

At the same vitamin C intake levels, elderly, non-smoking men have lower plasma vitamin C levels than younger men. This age-effect was markedly stronger in smokers, indicating that elderly men may need more vitamin C in their diet to achieve comparable plasma levels of young adults. Plasma beta-carotene levels are reduced substantially among smokers and to some extent among heavy alcohol drinkers below levels due to differences in the carotene intake. At the same carotene intake levels, elderly smokers seem to have reduced plasma beta-carotene levels as compared with young adults. After adjusting for blood lipids and vitamin E intake the alpha-tocopherol plasma levels seem not to be associated with age.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the hypothesis that with age the requirement for vitamin C and possibly for beta-carotene increases and that the requirement for vitamin E is not altered by age.