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Title: DO OLDER ADULTS NEED CLOSER MONITORING OF DIETARY B VITAMINS INTAKE?

Author
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item SHARKEY, J - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/29/2004
Publication Date: 8/20/2004
Citation: McCabe Sellers, B.J., Sharkey, J.R. 2004. Do older adults need closer monitoring of dietary b vitamins intake? Journal of The American Dietetic Association. 104(8) suppl 2:A-11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Learning Outcome: To increase awareness of special needs of older adults for dietary monitoring. Text: Nutrient requirements may not be readily met if dietary intake decreases, if nutrient losses increase, or if conditions increase needs. Nutrients such as water-soluble vitamins are especially prone to develop submarginal levels in a short time period in vulnerable populations. This study examined the nutrient intakes and drug usage of 279 older homebound women receiving 5 home-delivered meals/week. Dietary intake and a 'brown bag' visual medication inspection were assessed in-home followed up by three telephone 24-hour dietary recalls. Over half of the subjects were taking > 6 medications. A comparison of nutrient intakes of those on diuretic therapy with those not receiving diuretics revealed significantly greater odd ratios for having inadequate intake of those receiving diuretic drugs for both thiamin and niacin. The percentage of subjects with low thiamin and niacin intakes paralleled those receiving greater than six medications as well as diuretic use. Low thiamin intake can quickly lead to loss of appetite and affect overall nutrient intake. Long term drug therapy such as diuretics increases losses of water-soluble vitamins. Suboptimal intake of water-soluble vitamins can lead to other conditions such as fatigue and anorexia that may be overlooked as simple disease symptoms. Whether low dietary intake is a consequence of drug side effects or reflects the disease for which diuretics are prescribed, the dietitian needs to be alert to the food-drug interactions occurring with these widely used drugs. Dietitians cannot assume that B vitamin intakes are adequate to meet the increased needs with long-term drug therapy.