Vitamin E and Respiratory Infection in the Elderly

Introduction: Acute respiratory infection is a major cause of death for under-5 children in Bangladesh. We aimed to analyze the effect of immunonutritional status, healthcare factors, and lifestyle on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children taking individual-level and contextual-level risk factors into consideration. Methods: This study recruited 200 children suffering from acute respiratory infection and 100 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and sociodemographic profile. Serum antioxidant vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) were assessed along with the impact of vaccination, socioeconomic factors, and Z-score on the incidence of acute respiratory infection. Results: Serum antioxidant vitamins were significantly lower in the acute respiratory infection children compared to the non–acute respiratory infection group. Vitamin A was found to be significantly high in acute respiratory infection children who were breastfed for more than 1 year. Vitamin E levels were found to be significantly higher in the acute respiratory infection children who were immunized. Compared to the children living in tin-shed house or huts, serum vitamin E level increased in those acute respiratory infection children who resided in apartments. Vitamin A level was significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose height-for-age was −2 SD and above ( Z-score), and vitamin C levels were also significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose weight-for-height was −2 SD and below ( Z-score). Conclusion: Deficiencies of antioxidant vitamins along with healthcare and lifestyle factors have a significant influence on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children in Bangladesh.

Download Full-text

Pengaruh pemberian probiotik Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 dan Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11 terhadap kadar limfosit lanjut usia

JURNAL GIZI INDONESIA ◽

10.14710/jgi.3.1.102-108 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 13-19

Author(s):

Retno Wahyuningsih ◽

Darmono SS ◽

Ani Margawati

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Vitamin C ◽

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus ◽

The Elderly ◽

Lactobacillus Helveticus ◽

Control Group ◽

Quality Of Sleep

Background: Infectious disease remains a health problem for the elderly. The elderly are susceptible to infection,because the body's ability to fight infection decreases immunity. The immune status can be improved through the effortsof immunization, and nutrition. However the elderly are not sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of food, so probioticcould support nutritional adequacy.Objective: Analyze the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11 onlevels of lymphocytes in the elderly in Tresna Elderly Social Institution Puspakarma Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara.Methods: This was quasi-experimental study, randomized pre-post control group design. The population is elderly aged60-75 years, involving 45 subjects were divided randomly into two groups, namely the treatment groups givenprobiotics and the control group was given a placebo. Probiotics were given for 4 weeks, with the provision of onecapsule a day. Immunity status in this study was lymphocytes. Data examined included the intake of nutrients (protein,vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, Fe, Zn), health status, quality of sleep, and levels of lymphocytes in the elderly. Datawere analyzed using bivariate with different test Independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman, Pearson,and Paired t-test.Results: Increasing number of lymphocytes were significantly in the treatment group (χ ± SD: 1.84 ± 1.85) and in thecontrol group (0.95 ± 5.0). There is no relationship between intake (protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, Fe, Zink),physical health status, and quality of sleep with levels of lymphocytes.Conclusion: Probiotics in 4 weeks is proven to increase the number of lymphocytes in the elderly.

Download Full-text

The Boyd Orr Lecture: Nutrition interventions in aging and age-associated disease

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1079/pns2002144 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 165-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Mohsen Meydani

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Biological Process ◽

Sedentary Lifestyle ◽

The Elderly ◽

Energy Restriction ◽

Cell Junction ◽

Nutrition Interventions ◽

Complex Biological Process

Aging is a complex biological process, which usually is accompanied by changes in socioeconomic status, which may have a great impact on the physical and nutritional status of the elderly. Decreased food intake and a sedentary lifestyle in the growing numbers of the elderly increase their risk for malnutrition, decline of bodily functions and developing chronic diseases. Oxidative stress is believed to be an important factor in aging and many age-associated degenerative diseases. Modulation of oxidative stress by energy restriction in animals has been shown to be one of the mechanisms for retarding the aging process. Dietary antioxidants are regarded as being important in modulating oxidative stress of aging and age-associated diseases. Supplementation of the elderly with vitamin E has been shown to enhance immune response, delay onset of Alzheimer's disease, and increase resistance to oxidative injury associated with exercise. Vitamin E, in comparison with other antioxidants, is also effective in reducing viral titres, but not the longevity of middle-aged mice. Our studies have indicated that polyphenols or vitamin E may assist in preventing cardiovascular disease, in part by decreasing expression by endothelial cells of proinflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules, and monocyte adhesion. Most recently, we have found that some of these antioxidants may prevent tumour growth by inhibiting angiogenesis via suppression of interleukin 8 and modulation of the cell junction molecule, VE-cadherin. These findings provide further support for the consumption of fruit and vegetables, which contain several forms of phytochemicals with antioxidant activity, in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among the elderly.

Download Full-text

Drug use in an Ambulatory Elderly Population: A Five-Year Update

Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacy ◽

10.1177/106002808702100610 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 530-535 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

William E. Hale ◽

Franklin E. May ◽

Ronald G. Marks ◽

Ronald B. Stewart

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Drug Use ◽

Vitamin C ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Nutritional Supplements ◽

The Elderly ◽

General Philosophy ◽

Drug Usage ◽

The Past ◽

Nonprescription Drug

Drug usage was studied in an ambulatory elderly population in Dunedin, Florida. Prescription and nonprescription drug use in these 2834 participants was compared with use during a period five years earlier. The average number of medications increased from 3.2 in 1978–80 to 3.7 in 1983–85. The most commonly prescribed medications in this population were hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene (13.5 percent), digoxin (9.6 percent), and hydrochlorothiazide (8.4 percent). There was a large increase in the use of nutritional supplements in the past five years, with 18.0 percent of these subjects reporting the use of vitamin E and 15.7 percent taking vitamin C. The general philosophy in geriatrics is to use the fewest drugs possible; however, it appears that the elderly are, in fact, receiving an increasing number of medications.

Download Full-text

Development of enteral homemade diets for elderly persons receiving home care and analysis of macro and micronutrient composition

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia ◽

10.1590/1981-22562017020.160168 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 387-397

Author(s):

Ann Kristine Jansen ◽

Simone de Vasconcelos Generoso ◽

Eduarda Guimarães Guedes ◽

Ana Maria Rodrigues ◽

Lígia Amanda Ventura de Oliveira Miranda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Home Care ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Other ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Vitamin Deficiencies ◽

Enteral Diet ◽

Macronutrient Distribution ◽

Viscosity Stability

Abstract Objective: the development and analysis of the macro and micronutrient composition of homemade enteral diets. Method: A standard homemade enteral diet was developed at three caloric concentrations - 1500, 1800 and 2100 Kcal. After preparation and testing of viscosity, stability, odor and color, plus evaluation of cost, the chemical composition of the nutrients of the diets were analytically determined. Folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin B12 values were calculated using chemical composition tables. The results were compared with recommended nutritional standards for the elderly. Result: The diets exhibited normal macronutrient distribution. The 1500 caloric level presented some mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Suitable values were obtained at the other caloric levels for all minerals except magnesium. There were appropriate levels of all the vitamins in the 2100 Kcal diet, while vitamin E, D and B6 levels were below the recommended dietary allowances in the 1800 Kcal diet. Conclusion: The standard homemade enteral diets studied can contribute to the food and nutritional safety of elderly persons undergoing home care, if all are supplemented with magnesium and the 1800 Kcal diet is supplemented with vitamin E, D and B6. The 1500 Kcal diet was not nutritionally safe in terms of micronutrients.

Download Full-text

Age-related changes in plasma lycopene concentrations, but not in vitamin E, are associated with fat mass

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114500002063 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 84 (5) ◽

pp. 711-716 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Pascal Grolier ◽

Yves Boirie ◽

Evelyne Levadoux ◽

Marion Brandolini ◽

Patrick Borel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Fat Mass ◽

Plasma Cholesterol ◽

Age Groups ◽

The Elderly ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Plasma Vitamin ◽

Tocopherol Concentration ◽

Age Related ◽

Effect Of Age

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of age on plasma concentration of α-tocopherol, retinol and carotenoids with a special attention paid to natural differences in body composition. Forty healthy subjects were recruited: twenty were less than 35 years old and twenty above 60 years old. Males and females were equally represented in each age group. Subjects were kept in energy balance and received controlled diets for 36 h. Fat mass and fat-free mass were determined with the180-enriched water dilution technique. Plasma vitamins A and E, and carotenoid levels were determined after 12 h fasting and were shown to be similar in women and men. Plasma α-tocopherol concentration increased with age (+44 % elderlyv.young), and correlated with % fat mass and plasma cholesterol. After adjustment for plasma cholesterol, the effect of age and % fat mass disappeared. In contrast, plasma lycopene level was 2-fold lower in the elderly than in the young group, and was inversely correlated with fat mass. When lycopene values were adjusted for fat mass, the effect of age disappeared. These results suggest that plasma levels of vitamin E and lycopene differed in the two age groups and that differences in plasma cholesterol and fat mass might participate in such an effect. Short-term vitamin intake did not appear to influence plasma vitamin concentrations.

Download Full-text

Management of a Potentially Harmful Health Behavior by Clinical Trial

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.66.2.294 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 294-297

Author(s):

Robert E. Coifman

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Health Behavior ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Respiratory Infection ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Clinical Trial ◽

The Face ◽

Face Saving

A parent had been giving mega-doses of vitamin E to an 8-year-old child with 21-D trisomy for five years in the firmly rooted belief that this therapy was responsible for the child's freedom from constant symptoms of systemic and respiratory infection. The design of an unbiased double-blind clinical trial permitted the parent to reach, on her own, the face-saving conclusion that continuation of this therapy was no longer necessary. Applications of this approach and the underlying nonjudgmental attitude to other potentially harmful health behaviors and practices are discussed.

Download Full-text