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Vitamin Supplements Be Prescribed For Research Paper

Over 30% of elderly people are at risk of developing deficiencies in vitamin B-12, due to the changes occurring in their digestive tract. Combined with the lack of other vitamins, lack of vitamin B-12 contributes to Alzheimer's disease. Early correction of this deficiency is important, and it will help the elderly people to continue with a normal life Giovannucci, 2005. The correction of this deficiency can only be through prescribed vitamin supplements, as the cause of its deficiency was not because of an unbalanced diet.

Studies have reported that elderly people require more than the recommended dosage of vitamin E daily. This higher level will assist in boosting their immune system which is weakened as they age. By using prescribed vitamin dosages, the elderly people can increase their vitamin E daily intake thus improving their immune system.

Vitamin deficiency has also been associated with poor eye sight, defective teeth, infections, and dry skin. In elderly people, these diseases are heightened, and they are more prone. Poor eye sight might be caused by aging but having vitamin a deficiency increases the chances of developing this condition. An elderly person, who suffers from the conditions caused by lack of vitamin a in their body, is more likely to suffer more if they do not receive vitamin supplements. This is because elderly people are not able to replenish their vitamin levels as fast as may be required.

Conclusion

Taking too many vitamin supplements may have adverse effects on elderly people. Because...

Research has shown that the best vitamins are the ones found in foods and not in pills Enstrom & Pauling, 1982.
Though the pills are synthesized, the natural vitamins work much better than the pills. For elderly people, vitamin supplement pills offer the best alternative to acquiring vitamins from foods. This is because of their digestive systems changing thus making it hard for their bodies to absorb the vitamins. Recommending the elderly not to get prescription vitamins would make their bodies weak and more prone to diseases.

References

Beitz, R., Mensink, G.B.M., Hintzpeter, B., Fischer, B., & Erbersdobler, H.F. (2004). Do Users of Dietary Supplements Differ from Nonusers in Their Food Consumption? European Journal of Epidemiology, 19(4), 335-341.

Enstrom, J.E., & Pauling, L. (1982). Mortality among Health-Conscious Elderly Californians. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 79(19), 6023-6027.

Giovannucci, E. (2005). The Epidemiology of Vitamin D and Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Review (United States). Cancer Causes & Control, 16(2), 83-95.

MacLennan, W.J., & Hamilton, J.C. (1977). Vitamin D Supplements and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations in the Elderly. The British Medical Journal, 2(6091), 859-861.

Stokstad, E. (2003). The Vitamin D Deficit. Science, 302(5652), 1886-1888.

Sources used in this document:
References

Beitz, R., Mensink, G.B.M., Hintzpeter, B., Fischer, B., & Erbersdobler, H.F. (2004). Do Users of Dietary Supplements Differ from Nonusers in Their Food Consumption? European Journal of Epidemiology, 19(4), 335-341.

Enstrom, J.E., & Pauling, L. (1982). Mortality among Health-Conscious Elderly Californians. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 79(19), 6023-6027.

Giovannucci, E. (2005). The Epidemiology of Vitamin D and Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Review (United States). Cancer Causes & Control, 16(2), 83-95.

MacLennan, W.J., & Hamilton, J.C. (1977). Vitamin D Supplements and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Concentrations in the Elderly. The British Medical Journal, 2(6091), 859-861.
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