Nutrient requirements for elderly

Question 1

issues with making elderly nutrient requirements?

Answer 1

• most studies are done on young and healthy adults
• ## high heterogeneity (biological/chronological age is inconsistent) for older adults

Question 2

overall trends for macronutrients?

Answer 2

• decreased energy needs
• no change in protein (tho controversial)
• no change in CHO need
• decrease in fiber (median intake goes down)
• EFA decreases

Question 3

talk about elderly protein needs

Answer 3

indication that ability for older ppl to stimulate protein synthesis goes down leading to their overall lower muscle mass. having higher protein intakes could enhance anabolic response.

Question 4

true or false: the decrease of brain mass leads to a decrease in glucose oxidation

Answer 4

false: this decrease isn’t significant enough to effect glucose consumption

Question 5

what’s particular about potassium?

Answer 5

requirement is based on highest median intake (was 4700 but now 3400)

Question 6

who has higher K intake?

Answer 6

ppl who eat more plant foods and variety of them

Question 7

what’s associated with high intake of a variety of plant foods? (30 or more species)

Answer 7

• greater variety of gut microflora
• gut health is tied to brain health (better mental health)
• more K intake
• live longer

Question 8

what is there to know about Na?

Answer 8

requirement based on reduction trials that show that 1500 mg or less is appropriate for most ppl; no evidence for change for elderly ppl

Question 9

talk about vit B12

Answer 9

• most elderly ppl receive enough from diet
• there is a decreased bioavailability of vit b12 due to HCl secretion is inadequate (atrophic gastritis)
• no evidence for what correction factor is needed for plant or animal sources
• bioavailability of crystalline (synthetic) form remains the same; supplements/fortifications seem gucci

Question 10

talk about vit D

Answer 10

rq increases after age of 70 because of different dermal capacity and ability to metabolically activate; supplementation is important; increasing evidence that vit D deficiency is associated with decreased muscle mass

Question 11

what is RDA for vit D to maintain blood levels?

Answer 11

20 ug/d

Question 12

how much milk satisfies vit D requirement?

Answer 12

2 L of it lmao; this is especially difficult bc most old ppl have lactose intolerance

Question 13

talk about calcium

Answer 13

• increased rq after age of 50 due to decreased Ca absorption (to 1200 mg/d) for age >70 in males, >51 years females
• most elderly don’t consume enough vit D bc lower intake of dairy products. havint HTN or colon cancer is also a risk factor for insufficienty Ca
• needed to decrease risk of bone loss and fractures
• evidence indicates that too high doses of Ca can increase risk of atherosclerosis bc plaques contain calcium –> calcium should be administered in even spacing over time

Question 14

talk about magnesium

Answer 14

• Mg rq increases because decreased renal function after age of 30

Question 15

talk about iron

Answer 15

• no longer menstrual losses in postmenopausal women –> same requirements between both sexes from there
• RDA goes down from 18 mg/d to 8 mg/d