Vitamin E — for elderly?

NUTRITION

Vitamin BY

PEGGY

K.

,For Elderly?

YEN

itamin E is not the fountain of youth and sexual vitality it was once believed to be, but it can boost the immune system of elders who get more than the recommended amount of 8 to 10 mg a day. Tocopherols, the name for the group of chemicals called vitamin E, are found in vegetables oils and foods made from oils, such as salad dressing and margarine, as well as nuts and whole grains (Box 1). Oil-containing plants contain generous amounts of vitamin E because it acts as an antioxidant, keeping unsaturated fats from becoming rancid. This antioxidant property suggests that extra vitamin E might prevent or slow aging, a process of cell damage by oxidation.

V

B O X 1. F O O D S O U R C E S

OF VITAMIN

E

Food source Wheat germ, 1/4cup Almonds, 1 oz. Instant breakfast drink Raisin &cinnamon granola bar

vitamin E content Of foods consult Agriculture Hz Composition of Foods, Processed, Prepared, US Washington, D.C~1967~199"1,

Preventing Infections A recent study of people over age 65 showed that vitamin E intake greater than the recommended daily intakes enhanced cell-mediated immunity in healthy elderly people.1 Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin tests and response to hepatitis B, pneumococcal, and tetanus vaccines indicated improved immune response in elders taking at least 200 mg of vitamin E a day for about 8 months. A dose of 200 rag/day seemed to offer as much protection as a larger dose. No adverse effects were observed throughout the study period of about 8 months. Researchers did not measure changes in the number of infections the elderly subjects had when their diets were supplemented with vitamin E because the number tested was too few. Other studies have shown fewer infections in elderly people with high levels of vitamin E. This is. good news for elders, because infections are a leading cause of death in this age group. But caution must be exercised in applying these results to the general population. Beta carotene seems to be a cancer fighter when consumed from food sources such as fruits and vegetables. But clinical trials of its effectiveness were stopped early when it appeared that smokers who took beta PEGGY K. YEN, RD, LD, MPH, is a nutrition consultant with Cardiovascular Disease and Nutrition Services, Local and Family Health Administration, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in Baltimore. Geriatr Nuts 1997;18:235, 237. Copyright © 1997 by Mosby-Year Book, Inc. 0197-4572/97/$5.00 + 0 34/1/84401

GERIATRICNURSING Volume18, Number5

carotene supplements had more lung cancer than the group taking placebo. Vitamin E supplements in the same study did not convey any benefit. Critics of this experiment say that the dose of vitamin E was too small to show a benefit and that vitamin C should have been supple-

Very large doses of vitamin E can cause bleeding, especially in older adults who are taking warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood mented as well to see a positive effect. Whatever the reasons for the poor results, it points out the need to apply research results carefully, especially to a vulnerable population such as the elderly. Very large doses of vitamin E can cause bleeding, especially in older adults who are taking warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood thinners. The latest edition of the Recommended Dietary Allowances states that most adults can tolerate up to 800 mg of vitamin E a day without toxicity. c o n t i n u e d on p a g e

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Yen 235