Page 126 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 124 should be taken when using herbal supplements containing St. John’s
Wort, grapefruit, pomegranate, or black pepper, as these can affect the
metabolism of numerous drugs. Supplements containing cranberry,
Ginkgo, garlic, coenzyme Q10, or omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand,
may increase the risk of bleeding when used together with anticoagulant
medications.
Conclusion: Given the risks associated with dietary supplement use,
decisions about the appropriateness of supplementation for older adults
should be made by healthcare providers, who should work with patients
to identify quality products and evaluate the benefits and risks of
supplement use on a case-by-case basis.
Keywords: dietary supplements, elderly, indications, interactions
Introduction
Diet is known to play an important role in the prevention of many diseases, and
the right choice of nutrients can help prevent them and improve quality of life.
However, analysis of nationwide survey data has shown that a large percent-
age of older adults do not receive recommended amounts of many nutrients
from food alone (Walrand, 2018). This is of particular concern because condi-
tions prevalent in this population, can further compromise nutritional status
and could have a negative impact on neurological and cardiovascular health,
mood, immune function, vision, blood sugar control, and bone strength (Har-
ris et al., 2017; Walrand, 2018). The main reasons for nutrient deficiencies and
risk of malnutrition among the older adult population, can result from loss of
appetite with aging, decreased oral intake, chewing or swallowing difficulty,
and/or nutrient depletions from medication use, among many other social and
medical factors (Harris et al., 2017). On the basis of this evidence, together with
television and magazine advertisements, information obtained on the Internet,
articles in the lay press, and the recommendations of their physicians, a large
proportion of the Western population takes a variety of vitamin, mineral, and
herbal supplements daily in the hopes of promoting good health, preventing
chronic diseases (such as heart disease and cancer), limiting the ravages of ag-
ing, and ultimately extending life (Marik and Flemmer, 2012). Dietary supple-
ments (DS) use among older adults is even higher, as National Health and Nu-
trition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2012 reported that up to 72 % of
individuals aged 65 years and older use supplements. In addition, among older
adults surveyed in NHANES 2011–2012, 21 % reported using four or more sup-
plements daily (Harris et al., 2017). The continued use and popularity of DS in
recent years may be due to various factors, including perceived health-promot-
ing properties, fear of adverse events associated with prescription medications,
cost of prescription medications, over-the-counter availability of DS, and belief
that DS are natural and therefore safe to use (Walrand, 2018). Although some
DS may indeed have the expected benefits on human health, it would be unwise
to assume that they are all efficacious and safe to use.
Wort, grapefruit, pomegranate, or black pepper, as these can affect the
metabolism of numerous drugs. Supplements containing cranberry,
Ginkgo, garlic, coenzyme Q10, or omega-3 fatty acids, on the other hand,
may increase the risk of bleeding when used together with anticoagulant
medications.
Conclusion: Given the risks associated with dietary supplement use,
decisions about the appropriateness of supplementation for older adults
should be made by healthcare providers, who should work with patients
to identify quality products and evaluate the benefits and risks of
supplement use on a case-by-case basis.
Keywords: dietary supplements, elderly, indications, interactions
Introduction
Diet is known to play an important role in the prevention of many diseases, and
the right choice of nutrients can help prevent them and improve quality of life.
However, analysis of nationwide survey data has shown that a large percent-
age of older adults do not receive recommended amounts of many nutrients
from food alone (Walrand, 2018). This is of particular concern because condi-
tions prevalent in this population, can further compromise nutritional status
and could have a negative impact on neurological and cardiovascular health,
mood, immune function, vision, blood sugar control, and bone strength (Har-
ris et al., 2017; Walrand, 2018). The main reasons for nutrient deficiencies and
risk of malnutrition among the older adult population, can result from loss of
appetite with aging, decreased oral intake, chewing or swallowing difficulty,
and/or nutrient depletions from medication use, among many other social and
medical factors (Harris et al., 2017). On the basis of this evidence, together with
television and magazine advertisements, information obtained on the Internet,
articles in the lay press, and the recommendations of their physicians, a large
proportion of the Western population takes a variety of vitamin, mineral, and
herbal supplements daily in the hopes of promoting good health, preventing
chronic diseases (such as heart disease and cancer), limiting the ravages of ag-
ing, and ultimately extending life (Marik and Flemmer, 2012). Dietary supple-
ments (DS) use among older adults is even higher, as National Health and Nu-
trition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2012 reported that up to 72 % of
individuals aged 65 years and older use supplements. In addition, among older
adults surveyed in NHANES 2011–2012, 21 % reported using four or more sup-
plements daily (Harris et al., 2017). The continued use and popularity of DS in
recent years may be due to various factors, including perceived health-promot-
ing properties, fear of adverse events associated with prescription medications,
cost of prescription medications, over-the-counter availability of DS, and belief
that DS are natural and therefore safe to use (Walrand, 2018). Although some
DS may indeed have the expected benefits on human health, it would be unwise
to assume that they are all efficacious and safe to use.
