Nutrition in old age

Nutrition in old age seems to have a constantly higher meaning due to the changes in the age structure of the population. Considering nutrition, seniors form a relatively large risk group of the population. In old age, many factors affect both the supply of nutrients and their absorption and usage. The aim of nutrition in old age seems to be the maintenance of the optimal health condition and prevention of nutrient deficiency. In old age, nutrient demand is not decreased; considering lower energy demand, increased morbidity and absorption disorders, it is thus necessary to be aware of the supply of food with an increased concentration of nutrients. Special attention should be paid to the supply of calcium, zinc, vitamin D, folate and B12 vitamin.A routine area supplementation cannot be recommended first of all because the lowered capacity of the storage of water soluble vitamins into storage organs and for the decreased tolerance limit of a higher dosage.