Some ageing Americans don’t eat enough
Calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C play essential roles in maintaining health, yet older adults who reduce food intake may be running a nutrition deficit that could affect their health.
In a study published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers examined how well different ethnic groups met the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) through food intake and supplement consumption. The study determined that many middle-aged and older Americans are not getting adequate nutrition.
Using data drawn from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the prevalence, correlates and progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease, researchers examined more than 6,200 participants from four ethnic groups, Caucasian, African American, Hispanic and Chinese.
The large sample size and multiple ethnic groups in this population gave investigators enough information to examine interactions between supplementation and ethnicity. They also found that taking supplements often did not close the nutrition gap.
“Even with the assistance of dietary supplements, many middle-aged and older Americans are not getting adequate nutrition, and there was no association between supplement use and meeting the AI (adequate intake) for potassium,” said Dr Pamela Schreiner, lead author and director of graduate studies in the division of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota.
“In addition, those taking high-dose vitamin supplements were more likely to exceed the recommended upper limit for that nutrient,” Dr Schreiner added.
“Future studies should explore dietary supplementation along with other methods to improve nutrition in middle-aged and older Americans”.
