title: Vitamins in health and aging.
abstract: The use of various dietary supplements, including vitamins, to prevent or delay disease or aging rests for the most part on epidemiological associations. It does appear from these data that a diet rich in vitamins is associated with a tendency to improved health; however, the results from controlled trials are dismal. The discrepancy between different types of studies is probably explained by the fact that dietary composition and supplement use is a component in a cluster of healthy behaviors. An alternative hypothesis is that there are as-yet-unknown essential organic compounds in certain foods. The most prudent approach is to recommend a daily intake of fruits and vegetables as a likely source of essential nutrients. Failing compliance with a natural source of essential nutrients, and in populations at high risk of vitamin deficiency, vitamin supplements should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: The Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, 1402 South Grand Boulevard, M238, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA. thomasdr@slu.edu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins