Due to social isolation, elderly people become deficient in nutrients – Study

NEW DELHI New Delhi: Socially isolated seniors are more likely to have inadequate intake of key micronutrients like vitamin C and vitamin B6, increasing their risk of health problems, according to a new study. goes. Researchers at University College London (UCL) found that people who are socially isolated are more likely to have lower recommended intakes of five micronutrients essential for health: magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, folate And Vitamin B6. These micronutrients are typically found in small amounts in fruits, vegetables, legumes (such as peas, beans, and lentils) and fish, suggesting a diet lacking in these food sources. “This is important because inadequate intake of these micronutrients puts people at greater risk of health problems as they age,” said Professor Andrew Steptoe of UCL Behavioral Science and Health in the study published in the journal Age and Aging.

One explanation for this relationship is that if people live more isolated, they may not have people around them to provide them with information about healthy living and encourage them to have a more varied diet. The authors said that older people are also aware of their diet and they do not change their diet as much as before. The researchers used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), in which a nationally representative population sample in England answers a series of questions every two years. Respondents were scored based on how socially isolated they were, based on whether they lived alone, how often they visited friends and relatives outside their household, and whether they were involved in any clubs or organizations. Used to participate.

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