Nutrition: To supplement or not to supplement the elderly

Abstract

Worldwide, the population is expanding, and life expectancy lengthening. By 2050, people aged over 80 years will number almost 380 million. Fracture risk increases with age therefore the elderly will contribute significantly to the fracture burden. Drug therapy to reduce facture risk in the elderly is not feasible but dietary modifications, specifically improving protein, calcium, and vitamin D intakes may be a realistic option. Relationships between protein, calcium, and vitamin D and fracture risk in community-dwelling elderly is inconclusive. However few in the community are truly deficient in these nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies are more common in institutionalized elderly in whom frac..