Multivitamin use and B vitamin status in a homebound elderly population.
OBJECTIVE
Homebound elderly are at increased risk for micronutrient deficiencies and nutritional status in this population has not been adequately described. There is evidence for beneficial effects of multivitamin use and a greater understanding of their nutritional contribution could identify behaviors that may help alleviate excess chronic disease. The purpose of this analysis is to investigate, in a racially diverse group of homebound elders, the association of multivitamin use with measures of plasma B vitamin concentrations.


METHODS
We examined the cross-sectional association between multivitamin use and plasma concentrations of B vitamins and homocysteine in 236 white and 182 black homebound elders (65-99y). Dietary intake was assessed and demographic and health information was ascertained.


RESULTS
White and black elders had a high prevalence of dietary intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement for folate (38.1 and 40.7%), vitamin B6 (16.9 and 19.2%.), and vitamin B12 (3 and 3.9%) respectively. Multivitamin use was associated with higher mean plasma B vitamin concentrations in each group. In whites, multivitamin users had higher concentrations of vitamin B6 (64.6 vs. 32.4 nmol/L; p < 0.001), vitamin B12 (398 vs. 324 pmol/L;p < 0.001) and folate (39.4 vs. 30.4 nmol/L;p < 0.001). Black multivitamin users had higher concentrations of vitamin B6 (53.7 vs. 29.5 nmol/L; p < 0.001), B12 (427 vs. 372 pmol/L; p < 0.05) and folate (35.7 vs. 25.4 nmol/L; < 0.001) than non-users.


CONCLUSIONS
Multivitamin supplementation was associated with higher mean plasma concentrations of vitamins B6, B12, and folate and lower prevalence of low plasma B vitamin status in a biracial homebound elderly.
Buell
J S
JS
K.L. Tucker, USDA HNRCA at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Arsenault
L N
LN
Scott
T M
TM
Qiao Qiu
W
W
Rosenberg
I H
IH
Folstein
M F
MF
Tucker
K L
KL
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018577:Homebound Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000097:blood*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014815:Vitamins; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex