Vitamin supplements in elderly populations: prescription considerations

¶ … vitamin supplements be prescribed for the elderly?

Should vitamin supplements be prescribed to the elderly?

Principles of inquiry,

Summer 2012,

Andreas Jones,

Should vitamin supplements be prescribed for the elderly?

As one ages, there is a need for them to start taking nutritional supplements. These supplements will be dependent on the person's medical conditions. Vitamins are used in the body for assisting the enzymes involved in the metabolism of the body, for the repair of tissues, production of cells and for other vital body processes Beitz, Mensink, Hintzpeter, Fischer, & Erbersdobler, 2004.

The main reason that can lead to a person taking Vitamin supplements is because of either primary deficiency or secondary deficiency. Primary deficiency is when the body does not receive enough vitamins from the foods a person consumes, and secondary deficiency is caused by one having a disorder which does not allow for the absorption of the necessary vitamins in the body. Secondary disorder can also be caused by a person's lifestyle, e.g. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and drugs that limit the absorption of vitamins. For one to ensure they do not suffer from any deficiency of vitamins, he or she will need to ensure that they eat balanced meals most often.

Lack of vitamins in elderly people

Majority of older people do not maintain healthy eating habits. This causes them not to have the necessary vitamins in the bodies. Some elderly people might be taking other prescribed drugs that might be preventing their bodies from absorbing vitamins. Elderly people rarely get exposed to sunlight, and this might cause them to be vitamin D deficient Stokstad, 2003.

This is one of the reasons why elderly people should be taking prescribed vitamin supplements. According to research, the chance of developing diabetes or heart attack is reduced by 43% in elderly people who have vitamin D in high levels. The causes of vitamin D deficiency in elderly people are changes in their diet, lack of enough sunlight exposure, intestinal absorption getting impaired, and reduction in their skin thickness. People aged above 65 years old should take vitamin D supplements regularly, to ensure their bodies are not deficient of this vitamin, and they can prevent diseases that are associated with its deficiency MacLennan & Hamilton, 1977()

Memory loss in elderly people is also associated to the lack of enough vitamins. Loss of memory can affect an elderly person and may cause stress to the person. Research has shown that the lack of Thiamine or vitamin B-1 causes memory loss. There might be other vitamins linked with memory loss. To restore thiamine levels in an elderly person, there is a need for them to get prescription for this vitamin. This prescription will help aid the body in restoring the vitamin levels back.

To ensure that the elderly are always active and energetic, they need to have vitamin B-12 in their body. This vitamin will help prevent anemia in elderly persons. It is also charged with ensuring that the body's blood cells and nerves are healthy. Over 30% of elderly people are at risk of developing deficiencies in vitamin B-12, due to the changes occurring in their digestive tract. Combined with the lack of other vitamins, lack of vitamin B-12 contributes to Alzheimer's disease. Early correction of this deficiency is important, and it will help the elderly people to continue with a normal life Giovannucci, 2005.

The correction of this deficiency can only be through prescribed vitamin supplements, as the cause of its deficiency was not because of an unbalanced diet.

Studies have reported that elderly people require more than the recommended dosage of vitamin E daily. This higher level will assist in boosting their immune system which is weakened as they age. By using prescribed vitamin dosages, the elderly people can increase their vitamin E daily intake thus improving their immune system.

Vitamin deficiency has also been associated with poor eye sight, defective teeth, infections, and dry skin. In elderly people, these diseases are heightened, and they are more prone. Poor eye sight might be caused by aging but having vitamin a deficiency increases the chances of developing this condition. An elderly person, who suffers from the conditions caused by lack of vitamin a in their body, is more likely to suffer more if they do not receive vitamin supplements. This is because elderly people are not able to replenish their vitamin levels as fast as may be required.