Sufficient Status of Vitamin D, Cobalamin and Folate in Healthy and Active German Home-Dwelling People Over 70 Years of Age

Abstract

Background: Ageing is characterised by physiological changes that can affect the nutrient availability and requirements. In particular, the status of vitamin D, cobalamin and folate has often been found to be critical in older people living in residential care. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the status of these nutrients in healthy and active home-dwelling elderly people. Methods: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the status of vitamin D based on serum concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D], cobalamin based on serum concentrations of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) and folate based on red blood cell (RBC) folate in unsupplemented, healthy and active German home-dwelling subjects ≥70 years of age (n=134, mean±SD: 75.8±4.5 years). Dietary intake was assessed by 3-day food recalls. The study was conducted between March and November of 2021 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). Results: The mean 25-(OH)D concentration was unexpectedly high at 85.1±26.0 nmol/L, while the majority of women (63%) and men (84%) had 25-(OH)D concentrations ≥75 nmol/L. Less than 10% of men and women had 25-(OH)D concentrations <50 nmol/L. The mean holoTC concentration was 88.9±33.7 pmol/L. Women had significantly higher holoTC concentrations (94.8±34.6 pmol/L) than men (73.6±25.6 pmol/L), despite lower consumption of meat, eggs and meat products. Only 8% of the women were cobalamin deficient (<50 pmol/L holoTC) compared to 22% of the men. The mean RBC folate concentration was 831±244 nmol/L, while the prevalence of folate deficiency was 10%. Linear regression analysis showed that age (range: 70 to 100 years) was not associated with the nutrient status. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that healthy, independently living older people with high levels of education, physical activity, and health awareness are not necessarily at higher risk of vitamin D, folate and cobalamin deficiency. However, it should be noted that about 10 % of the study collective were deficit in these vitamins. Further studies are needed to verify these findings and to identify lifestyle and dietary patterns that can predict adequate nutrient status for healthy ageing. Trial registration: This study is officially recorded in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00021302).