Micronutrient malnutrition across the life course, sarcopenia and frailty

Abstract

Micronutrient malnutrition, the deficiency of vitamins or minerals, impacts on physical and mental health, in clinical and general populations, across the life course. In older western populations the high prevalence and impact of micronutrient malnutrition is less well recognised. Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing the ‘double burden of disease’ where malnutrition coexists alongside the non-communicable diseases of aging, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Held in December 2020, the Winter Conference of the Nutrition Society was designed to cover new areas of research and concern in micronutrient malnutrition across the life course. Common themes arising from the conference were: 1) The continuing high prevalence of micronutrient malnutrition across the life-course, in diverse populations, in high, middle and low-income countries. 2) That multiple deficiencies of micronutrients frequently exist. 3) The primary cause of deficiency is poor quality diets, of low diversity, low in micronutrient dense foods. 4) Clinical conditions, medications for common non-communicable diseases, and environmental conditions, interact with and exacerbate the effects of poor diet quality. 5) Understanding of the mechanistic effects of micronutrients is still emerging. 6) Micronutrients are necessary for maintaining immune function, which has importance for the COVID-19 epidemic. 7) Better biomarkers are needed detect and understand the effects of deficiency. 7) Dietary recommendations need to be updated regularly. Further research is needed in all these areas. Comprehensive public health and government approaches to ensure access and affordability of good quality foods to populations of all ages, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, are crucial.

Pneumonia, Aspiration Pneumonia, or Frailty-Associated Pneumonia?

“…Lack of good quality food in the right quantity coupled with anabolic resistance [ 18 , 19 ] can ultimately result in protein and micronutrient undernutrition. The clinical consequences of this can manifest as frailty, sarcopenia, and an ineffective immune system with an increase in morbidity and eventual death [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Relationship of Low Vitamin B6 Status with Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Mortality: A Narrative Review

“…The progression of sarcopenia or frailty is associated with the risk and prevalence of several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and fractures [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Concerning the role of nutrition in the progression of sarcopenia and frailty, epidemiological studies have highlighted the roles of nutrients such as proteins, essential amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D in the context of sarcopenia, frailty, and survival [ 8 , 9 ].…”

A Mendelian randomization study to examine the causal associations of circulating micronutrient levels with frailty risk

“…As a result, older persons are more susceptible to protein-energy and micronutrient malnutrition. Of these, the consequences of micronutrient deficiencies are sometimes permanent ( 14 ). Epidemiological studies have shown a correlation between micronutrients and frailty.…”