{"id":9225,"date":"2019-02-08T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T14:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=9225"},"modified":"2019-04-05T08:08:51","modified_gmt":"2019-04-05T14:08:51","slug":"fbn-senior-nutrition-supplement-formulation-considerations-for-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/9225\/fbn-senior-nutrition-supplement-formulation-considerations-for-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Nutrition: Supplement Formulation Considerations for Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GrandfatherBy 2030, more than 20 percent of the U.S. population are projected to be aged 65 and over, compared with 14 percent in 2012 and 10 percent in 1970, according to the U.S Census Bureau.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

This growing cohort of older adults demand products that can prolong independence and improve quality of life, representing a prime target for supplement marketers.<\/p>\n

By understanding the role several nutrients play in healthy aging, supplement marketers can effectively target the senior population and meet their growing desire for youthful vigor and longevity.<\/p>\n

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Formulating supplements for the elderly?<\/h2>\n

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Create your free account today!<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Nutrient Shortfalls in Older Adults<\/h2>\n

There are several natural consequences of aging that can lead to nutrient short falls like poor appetite and dentition, as well as declining mental status. The body also becomes less efficient at absorbing some key nutrients.<\/p>\n

Consequently, muscles start to weaken, injuries take longer to heal, energy levels drain, and conditions that affect quality of life such as osteoarthritis and cognitive impairment become more prevalent.<\/p>\n

In turn, older adults and their caregivers are increasingly looking for solutions that can help postpone and mitigate some of those conditions.<\/p>\n

Nutrients to Consider for Elderly Diet<\/h2>\n

Several key nutrients can support older adults\u2019 demands for improved quality of life and longevity.<\/p>\n

These nutrients include:<\/p>\n

Vitamin D<\/h3>\n

While much of the U.S population has inadequate levels of vitamin D, the prevalence among older adults is much greater.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Older adults are at an increased risk of vitamin D inadequacy for reasons including, decreased vitamin D production, decreased sun exposure, low dietary intakes of vitamin D, as well as obesity and other diseases.<\/p>\n

Older adults need 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D as D3 per day.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

Vitamin B12
\nOlder adults are at a high risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency mainly due to malabsorption.<\/p>\n

Up to 30 percent of older adults have a condition that decreases their ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food called atrophic gastritis, the chronic inflammation of the stomach lining that decreases the body\u2019s production of stomach acid.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Stomach acid helps separate vitamin B12 from the protein in animal-abased foods.<\/p>\n

The vitamin B12 found in supplements or fortified foods isn\u2019t bound to protein and therefore doesn\u2019t require stomach acid for its absorption. For this reason, it\u2019s recommended that adults older than 50 years get most of their vitamin B12 from supplements and fortified foods.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

Protein<\/h3>\n

Older adults require more protein than their younger counterparts for several reasons including, decreased appetite, reduced ability to use protein and higher prevalence of disease or injury.<\/p>\n

Research shows that older adults may experience improved bone health, heart function, wound healing and recovery from healing by increasing protein intake.5<\/sup><\/p>\n

Whey protein is a high-quality, fast-digesting protein that can offer older adults an easy and convenient way to boost protein intake.<\/p>\n

Fish Oil<\/h3>\n

Observational research links low blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) \u2013 an omega-3 fatty acid \u2013 with mental decline in older adults.6<\/sup><\/p>\n

Fish oil supplements are a good source of DHA and may help slow cognitive decline, but the current research remains mixed as to whether fish oil can support memory function with aging.7<\/sup><\/p>\n

In either case, fish oil supplements remain one of the most used natural products in the U.S.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Nutrients<\/h3>\n

Several other nutrients can support healthy aging in older adults.<\/p>\n

These nutrients include:<\/p>\n