Vitamin supplements for old do not enhance immunity, says new study |
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Sun, 07 Aug 2005 00:35
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LONDON: Multivitamins and mineral supplements are not antidotes for infections -- respiratory, stomach, skin and other types -- in the elderly, according to new research.
In a report in the British Medical Journal, Alison Avenell and her team from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, said they found in a group of older people who are mostly living at home and in their 70s, "a typical vitamin or mineral supplement did not have an effect on the number of days of infection they had over the course of the year".
| The team covered 900 people over 65 years old and half of them were given a multivitamin and mineral supplement and the remainder placebos. The two groups' number of hospital admissions and antibiotic prescriptions were also considered for the study.
The researchers compared the number of times members of each of the groups had infections over a year and conlcuded that there was no difference.
Avenell said it will be wrong to conclude that the multivitamin and mineral supplements would not have an effect on other medical problems of the aged. In simple terms, the supplements did not seem to prevent infections in people. "There are specific medical reasons why people might need to take supplements."
It is estimated that about a quarter of the elderly in the U.K. are on nutritional and multivitamin and mineral supplements on the assumption that these would enhance immunity and prevent infections.
Avenell says further research is needed to determine whether these supplements benefit older people who live in care institutions.
The Journal had an editorial by Dr Salah Gariballa from the University of Sheffield, arguing that, while supplements may have some relevance for some people, better diet and exercise are advisable. "Evidence is increasing for a holistic approach to improving diet rather than focussing too closely on the effects of individual nutrients on risk factors and preventing disease," he said.
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