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· Energy
1.41.8 multiples of the basal metabolic rate
(BMR) to maintain body weight at different
levels of physical activity.
· Calcium
In addition to reducing fracture rates, 8001200
mg/day (in the presence of adequate vitamin
D nutrition) are beneficial for bone mineral den
sity of the femur, neck and lumbar spine.
· Copper
1.31.5 mg/day should be adequate for older persons.
· Chromium
50 g/day should achieve chromium balance in
older persons.
· Fat
30% in sedentary older persons and 35% for
active older persons. Consumption of saturated
fats should be minimized and not exceed 8% of
energy.
· Folate
400 g/day have been shown to result in healthy
homocysteine levels.
· Iron
10 mg/day are adequate for older men and women
assuming there are no excessive iron losses
(e.g. from hookworm or schistosomiasis).
· Magnesium
Dietary intakes of magnesium, which have been
estimated in western countries to be between 225280
mg/day, appear to be sufficient for individuals over
the age of 65.
· Protein
Generally speaking, protein intakes of 0.91.1 g/kg
per day are beneficial for healthy older persons.
Nutrients for which reliable data are available directly from experiments conducted with older
persons have been reviewed. Wherever possible, the recommendations that follow take into
consideration not only the amount of a nutrient required to prevent a deficiency state but also a
chronic disease. Additional studies are needed to determine the appropriate level of
essential nutrients to maintain optimal immune response and to reduce the burden of disease.
· Riboflavin
Riboflavin requirements for older persons appear to
be the same as for the young. The recommended
daily allowance (RDA) is 1.3 mg for men and for
1.1 mg for women.
· Selenium
5070 g/day should be more than adequate for
older persons.
· Vitamin A
600700 g retinol equivalents/day represent an
adequate intake for older persons.
· Vitamin B12
2.5 g/day either from a vitamin B12 supplement or
foods fortified with vitamin B12.
· Vitamin C
Requirements for vitamin C are the same as for
younger people; 60100 mg/day appear to be
adequate.
· Vitamin D
1015 g/day are needed to ensure optimal bone
health in older persons.
· Vitamin E
100400 IU/day have been shown to reduce
recurrent cardiovascular disease.
· Vitamin K
6090 g/day are an adequate intake for older
persons.
· Zinc
Required intake for dietary zinc in people over 65:
High Zn availability (50+%): men 4.2 mg/day,
women 3.0 mg/day
Moderate Zn availability (30%): men 7.0 mg/day,
women 4.9 mg/day
Low Zn availability (15%): men 14.0 mg/day,
women 9.8 mg/day
Source: Keep Fit for Life: meeting the nutritional needs
of older persons. WHO, 2002
Dietary recommendation
for older people