The influence of fruit and vegetable intake on the nutritional status and plasma homocysteine levels of institutionalised elderly people

Abstract

Objective: To determine the difference in the nutritional status of elderly people depending on their consumption of fruits and vegetables, and to study the possible association between the consumption of these foods and different cardiovascular risk factors, especially total plasma homocysteine (t-Hcys) levels. Design, setting and subjects: A cross-sectional study in 152 institutionalised older people from Madrid aged $ 65 years. Food and nutrient intakes were recorded over 7 days using the 'precise individual weighing' method. The weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences of all subjects were recorded, as were their a-erythrocyte glutathione reductase, serum B 6 , B 12 and folate levels, erythrocyte folate levels, t-Hcys levels, serum lipids and blood pressure. The experimental population was then divided into tertiles depending on the serving intake of fruit and vegetables (T1, , 2.29 servings day 21 ; T2, 2.29-2.79 servings day 21 ; and T3, .2.79 servings day 21 ). Results: Compared with T1 subjects, T3 subjects showed consumptions of cereals, pulses, meat, fish and eggs closer to those recommended (P , 0.05). In addition, the contribution of their diet towards covering the recommended daily intake of vitamin B 1 , niacin, vitamin B 6 , folic acid, vitamin C, B 12 , vitamin A, and P, Mg, Zn and Fe was higher. The intake of fibre increased with consumption of fruit and vegetables (r ¼ 0.6839, P , 0.001). T3 subjects also had better serum and erythrocyte folate levels than T1 and T2 subjects (P , 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and serum folate (r ¼ 0.2665, P , 0.01) and with erythrocyte folate levels (r ¼ 0.2034, P , 0.05), and a negative correlation with t-Hcys (r ¼ 2 0.2493, P , 0.01). Conclusions: Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with better food habits, increased vitamin and mineral intakes and lower t-Hcys levels. Considering that the fruit and vegetable intake in Spanish elderly people is very low, it is recommended that the consumption of fruits and vegetables by elderly people be increased.

Anorexia and Eating Patterns in the Elderly

“…The consequence is a reduced intake of nutrients and bioactive substances whose positive effect was widely demonstrated in modulating some phenomena strictly linked to the aging process (such as inflammaging , oxidative stress, gut microbiota balance) [39]. A greater consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with better food habits [40], and the literature suggests that these foods may be beneficial to elderly subjects, as well as a number of cross- sectional studies found a positive correlation between fruit and vegetables intake and bone mineral density [41], and a negative correlation with the onset of neurodegenerative disorders [42].…”

The Fox and the Rabbits—Environmental Variables and Population Genetics (1) Replication Problems in Association Studies and the Untapped Power of GWAS (2) Vitamin A Deficiency, Herpes Simplex Reactivation and Other Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

“…However, in agreement with epidemiology, DHA significantly benefited two measures of cognition in mild to moderate non-ApoE4 carriers [333]. High vitamin A and low homocysteine levels are related to a high intake of fruit and vegetables in elderly patients [246]. Fruit and vegetable juice consumption is also associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease incidence [334].…”

“…These protective factors are in most cases the obverse of the risk factors and include diets rich in fish or polyunsaturated fatty acids [241, 242], the Mediterranean diet [243] and the use of statins [244], which are counter to the effects of high cholesterol. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with reduced dementia incidence [245] and is able to sustain Vitamin A levels and reduce homocysteine levels in the elderly population [246]. High folate intake, which reduces homocysteine levels [247], and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories have also been reported to reduce risk [248].…”

Plasma total homocysteine and macrovascular complications are associated with food and nutrient intake in patients with Type II diabetes mellitus

“…Fruits and vegetables contain numerous micronutrients and functional ingredients with anti-oxidant properties which are helpful in keeping the homocysteine levels low thereby enhancing vascular health status. Increased fruits and vegetable intake has been effective in the improvement of plasma folate and homocysteine levels (Bermejo et al, 2007). In the other study, however, 4-week of increased fruits and vegetable consumption by 200 g/d (133 g/d for fruits and juice and 64 g/d for vegetables) was not sufficient to change plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations (Bogers et al, 2007).…”