Key issues in nutrition. Supplementation through adulthood and old age.

This is a brief treatment of the subject of nutritional supplements of vitamins minerals and the energy requirements that may be needed by adults and elderly Americans. Adulthood is a stable phase of life such that a well-balanced diet meets the needs of most adults. Exceptions include the sedentary who may not consume enough food to meet vitamin needs and those living on restaurant food on high fiber or weight loss diets or consuming excess alcohol. For these people a multivitamin-mineral supplement containing the U.S. recommended daily allowance is suggested. In addition iron may be needed by menstruating women. Calcium intake should reach 800 mg daily and 1200 mg daily for people over 30. Calcium carbonate is economical and well absorbed except by persons with achlorhydria. Women taking oral contraceptives often need vitamin B6 (2.5 mg is the daily allowance) folic acid riboflavin ascorbic acid magnesium and zinc. A daily multivitamin-mineral may be advised. Persons over 50 need to maintain protein intake by consuming at least 2 oz meat twice daily. They should also take enough polyunsaturated fatty acids calcium vitamin D iron zinc and magnesium. All these are included in normal diets but may perhaps be lacking in special cases such as alcoholism diuretic use malabsorption or liver disease. Other nutritional deficiencies may cause functional problems in the elderly such as anemia confusion or psychiatric disorders due to poor vitamin B12 absorption or poor would healing due to vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin abuse can also occur. A frequently needed supplement in the aged is fiber.