Men and women over the age of 51 who take dietary supplements on a regular basis are more likely to receive adequate levels of vitamins and minerals, report researchers.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggested a significant proportion of over-50s do not receive sufficient nutrients from diet alone and therefore may benefit from supplementation.
The vitamin and mineral intakes of 4, 384 participants, half of whom took supplements daily, were examined. Intakes of folate, zinc, iron and vitamins A, B and C were all found to be adequate among the supplementing group.
Researcher Rhonda Sebastian from the US Department of Agriculture said a large "proportion of older adults do not consume sufficient amounts of many nutrients from foods alone. Supplements compensate to some extent, but only an estimated half of this population uses them daily. Modifying dietary attitudes may result in a higher rate of supplement use in this at-risk population."
References available on request