The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Older adults are at increased risk for vitamin and mineral deficiencies that contribute to age-related immune system decline. Several lines of evidence suggest that taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) could improve immune function in individuals 55 and older. To test this hypothesis, we provided healthy older adults with either an MVM supplement formulated to improve immune function (Redoxon® VI, Singapore) or an identical, inactive placebo control to take daily for 12 weeks. Prior to and after treatment, we measured (1) their blood mineral and vitamin status (i.e., vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D); (2) immune function (i.e., whole blood bacterial killing activity, neutrophil phagocytic activity, and reactive oxygen species production); (3) immune status (salivary IgA and plasma cytokine/chemokine levels); and (4) self-reported health status. MVM supplementation improved vitamin C and zinc status in blood and self-reported health-status without altering measures of immune function or status or vitamin D levels, suggesting that healthy older adults may benefit from MVM supplementation. Further development of functional assays and larger study populations should improve detection of specific changes in immune function after supplementation in healthy older adults. Clinical Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT02876315.

Análisis longitudinal de parámetros nutricionales en una cohorte de ancianos con y sin demencia / Longitudinal analysis of nutrition parameters in a cohort of elderly people with and without dementia

Introducción. La evaluación nutricional longitudinal, debido a sus frecuentes alteraciones, es especialmente relevante en al anciano con deterioro cognitivo. El objetivo del presente estudio es valorar a lo largo del tiempo el efecto y la posible interacción del deterioro cognitivo y del envejecimiento en los parámetros nutricionales. Material y métodos. Estudio longitudinal prospectivo de 2 años de seguimiento en 301 ancianos (233 mujeres y 68 varones) en el medio residencial, 51 de los cuales tienen criterios de demencia. Los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos se obtuvieron según técnicas normalizadas. Resultados. Los ancianos con demencia presentan, en todos los parámetros estudiados, valores inferiores respecto a los ancianos sin demencia. En los pacientes con deterioro cognitivo los valores medios de los parámetros nutricionales permanecen estables y sin diferencias significativas tras 2 años de seguimiento: índice de masa corporal 24,5 ± 4,9 vs 24,2 ± 4,1; pliegue tricipital 15,0 ± 6,0 vs 14,7 ± 6,9; circunferencia braquial 25,9 ± 3,3 vs 25,7 ± 3,5, y albúmina 3,7 ± 0,3 vs 3,7 ± 0,3. En los pacientes sin deterioro cognitivo los valores al final del estudio han descendido respecto a los valores basales, excepto el pliegue bicipital y los triglicéridos. Conclusiones. Tras 2 años de seguimiento no se observa descenso de los parámetros nutricionales estudiados en los ancianos con demencia; sin embargo, sí aparece un descenso en los ancianos sin deterioro cognitivo. Las causas de estas diferencias pueden ser múltiples. Son necesarios más estudios, con mayor número de ancianos y un mayor periodo de seguimiento, para validar estos hallazgos (AU)

Introduction. It is important to assess longitudinal nutritional parameters during the ageing process in order to determine body composition changes. This procedure is more relevant when dealing with institutionalised geriatric patients suffering from cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to assess the interactions, if any, between mental status and several nutritional parameters in a cohort of elderly people. Material and methods. A longitudinal prospective two years follow-up evaluation was performed on 301 elderly residents (233 females and 68 males) in a nursing home, of whom 51 of them fulfilled the clinical criteria for dementia. Both anthropometric and biochemical parameters were obtained annually, according to standard procedures. Results. The dementia group had lower values when compared to the non-dementia group. Furthermore, nutritional values remained constant in the group with cognitive impairment (no significant differences were observed throughout the study period). BMI 24.5 ± 4.9 vs 24.2 ± 4.1; tricipital skinfold 15.0 ± 6.0 vs 14.7 ± 6.9; brachial circumference 25.9 ± 3.3 vs 25.7 ± 3.5, and albumin 3.7 ± 0.3 vs 3.7 ± 0.3. At the end of the study, the group without cognitive impairment showed lower values in all the parameters analysed when compared to the baseline ones, except for bicipital fold and plasma triglycerides. Conclusions. Our study shows that there are no variations in the elderly with cognitive impairment, as regards the nutritional, anthropometric and biochemist parameters analysed. On the contrary, the group with normal cognitive status showed a reduction in most of the parameters. Further studies analysing larger populations of elderly people and over longer periods of time will provide more information to improve our knowledge on this important issue (AU)

Immune responses to resistance exercise.

Resistance exercise induces changes in leukocyte redistribution, phenotypical surface expression and leukocyte functionality. Several factors have been shown to alter the temporal pattern and/or magnitude of response including manipulation of acute program variables, the aging process, and nutritional supplementation. Rest period length and load can modify the temporal pattern and/or magnitude of leukocytosis post exercise. Aging diminishes both the duration and magnitude of the post exercise leukocytosis and reduces leukocyte functionality. The few studies that assessed the effects of nutritional supplements (e.g., carbohydrate, whey protein, caffeine) peri-resistance exercise showed minimal effects on leukocyte responses. Sex differences exist in the timing and magnitude of leukocyte infiltration into skeletal muscle. The immune response to resistance exercise is only a small part of the recovery paradigm. A better understanding of how acute program variables and other factors such as aging, sex and nutritional supplementation affect the immune response to resistance exercise is important in the context of improving recovery, performance and health.

Relación entre salud oral y estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados en residencias privadas de la Comunidad de Madrid / Relationship between oral health and nutritional status in institutionalized elder in private residences in the region of Madrid

Fundamentos: Este trabajo pretende conocer el estado de salud bucodental en pacientes ancianos institucionalizados en residencias privadas de la Comunidad de Madrid y su posible repercusión sobre el estado nutricional. Métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio epidemiológico transversal. La población de estudio fueron 93 ancianos, sin alteraciones cognitivas, institucionalizados en Residencias Privadas de la Comunidad de Madrid. Resultados: La mitad de los ancianos estudiados (49,5%) conservaban alguna de sus piezas dentales mientras la otra mitad (50,5%) eran edéntulos. El índice CAOD en los pacientes dentados obtuvo unos valores comprendidos entre 3 y 28, media 24,38. La prevalencia de caries entre los pacientes del estudio fue 73,91%. En cuanto a la higiene, objetivada en los pacientes no edéntulos con el índice IHO-S la media obtenida fue de 2,15 (aceptable según la OMS). En los pacientes desdentados portadores de prótesis, la higiene fue buena en la mayoría de los casos: 42,10% prótesis superiores y 50% en las prótesis inferiores. La puntuación media obtenida para los 93 pacientes en el MNA fue 24,18. El riesgo de malnutrición está asociado con el grado de dependencia funcional. Conclusiones: Los ancianos institucionalizados en líneas generales tienen buena salud bucodental (AU)

Background: Oral health status assessment in institutionalized elderly patients living in private homes in the Region of Madrid and its potential influence on nutritional status is presented In this paper. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 93 institutionalized elder in good cognition status living in Private homes for the aged in the Region of Madrid. Results: About 50% of the elder in the study group (49,5%) kept dental pieces while the remaining 50,5% were edentulous. The estimated value for CAOD index in the group with several teeth was between 3 and 28, mean value 24,38. Prevalence of dental caries was 73,91%. Regarding oral hygienic practices among non-edentulous patients, the mean IHO-S index was 2,15 (acceptable according WHO standards). Among edentulous patients using prosthesis, hygienic practices was good in 42,10% of those usingupper prosthesis and 50% among those using lower prosthesis. Mean score for the MNA scale in the whole group was 24,18. The risk for malnutrition was associated to the degree of functional dependence. Conclusions: Overall, institutionalized elderly showed adequate oral health status (AU)