Some effects of a food supplement in elderly hospital patients: a longitudinal study

The effect of giving a food supplement for 12 weeks to 12 elderly, clinically stable, patients was investigated longitudinally. During the period of supplementation, the mean grip strength, whole blood and plasma ascorbic acid concentration, serum and red cell folic acid and plasma vitamin D concentrations increased, and decreased when the supplement was stopped. Thiamin status, as indicated by the red cell 'TPP value', also increased in response to the supplement and decreased when the supplement was stopped. It is concluded that a food supplement of the type given in this study could be useful in preventing nutrient deficiencies in old people.