Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Malnutrition

Would you recognize malnutrition in a parent or grandparent? Malnutrition occurs when the body is not getting enough nutrients. It even can be caused by the lack of a single vitamin in your diet.¹

Possible causes of malnutrition in older people are waning senses of taste and smell, difficulty chewing,² and depression.³ Sadly, malnutrition can lead to hip fractures⁴ and may contribute to dementia⁵ and periodontal (gum) disease.⁶ Eating well, however, can help an older adult manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease,⁷ and keep bones and muscles strong.⁸

Look for signs of malnutrition. The symptoms can include dizziness, fatigue,¹ muscle cramps,⁹ and bleeding gums.¹⁰

At any age, it’s best to get vitamins and minerals from food, not pills.¹¹ But the diets of some older people don’t contain enough vitamin B₁₂,¹² calcium,¹³ and vitamin D.¹⁴ In these cases, supplements might be a wise choice.^{12, 13, 14, 15} To make sure you’re getting enough nutrients, talk with your doctor.⁶

¹ “Malnutrition.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, May 18, 2007. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ article/000404.htm Accessed 2010.

² “Diet and Nutrition.” National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, April 2005. www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topic s/Diet_and_Nutrition.cfm. Accessed 2010.

³ “Young at Heart: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan.” Weight-Control Information Network, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, updated January 2007. www.win.niddk.nih.gov/publications /young_heart.htm Accessed 2010.

⁴ “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Calcium.” Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, September 23, 2005. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-QuickFacts/. Accessed 2010.

⁵ “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12.” Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, April 26, 2006. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/. Accessed 2010.

⁶ “Diet and Oral Health.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/2984.aspx. Accessed 2010.

⁷ “Eating Well as You Get Older.” National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, May 7, 2008. http://www.nia. nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/PR20080507eatingwell.htm. Accessed 2010.

⁸ “Nutrition for Everyone: Calcium and Bone Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2008. www.cdc.gov/nutrition/eve ryone/basics/vitamins/calcium.html Accessed 2010.

⁹ “Undiagnosed Vitamin D Deficiency in the Hospitalized Patient.” D. Lyman. American Family Physician. January 15, 2005, vol. 71, no. 2, p. 245. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/0115/p299.html Accessed 2010.

¹⁰ “Medical Encyclopedia: Bleeding Gums.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, March 18, 2008. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/ article/003062.htm Accessed 2010.

¹¹ “Medical Encyclopedia: Vitamins.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, March 12, 2008. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vitamins.htmlwww.fda.gov/ForConsumers/Consu merUpdates/ucm118079.htm Accessed 2010.

¹² “Fortify Your Knowledge About Vitamins.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, November 19, 2007.  www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm118079.htm Accessed 2010.

¹³ “Calcium and Vitamin D: Important at Every Age.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, National Institutes of Health, August 2008.  www.niams.nih.go v/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Nutrition/default.asp. Accessed 2010.

¹⁴ “Recent Developments in Vitamin D Deficiency and Muscle Weakness Among Elderly People.” G. Venning. BMJ. March 5, 2005, vol. 330, p. 525. www.bmj.com/content/330/7490/524.full Accesed 2010.

¹⁵ “Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D.” Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, September 8, 2008. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind/ Accessed 2010.