[Is vitamin intake by the elderly in The Netherlands precarious?]

The elderly are vulnerable to nutritional risks. The vitamin intake (assessed through dietary history) and vitamin status of 539 independently living persons aged 65-79 years and 44 lacto-(ovo)-vegetarian persons aged 65-97 years were evaluated. All respondents were apparently healthy. Compared with the Dutch recommended dietary allowances the intake of vitamins was assessed as adequate except for vitamin B6. The marginal intake of vitamin B6 is reflected in the vitamin B6 status. The prevalence of low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in plasma is high among elderly people as compared with younger adults (blood donors); the concentration is negatively correlated with age. The vegetarian elderly appeared to be at risk regarding the vitamin B12 status. In conclusion, the average intake of vitamins is assessed as adequate, whereas the intakes of vitamin B6 and vitamin D of Dutch apparently healthy elderly need more attention.