American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 55, 1237S-1243S, Copyright © 1992 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

REVIEW ARTICLES

Nutritional factors in physical and cognitive functions of elderly people

IH Rosenberg and JW Miller
US Department of Agriculture, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston.

The quality of life of aging individuals depends profoundly on their capacity for physical mobility, mental alertness, and cognitive function. Independence and self-esteem are strongly determined by physical and mental capacities. Stimulated by reports of declining function with age, investigators have examined the relationships between lifestyle factors and maintenance of functional status. Growing evidence supports the view that continued physical activity and good nutritional status are important determinants of physical and cognitive function. It is possible that some of the decline in cognitive function associated with aging is preventable or reversible with improved vitamin nutriture, especially vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and folate. It might well be argued that the most practical outcome of research on the relationship of diet and nutrition to the aging process would be a better understanding of the ways in which our behavior can maintain a vigorous quality of life.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Raman, A. Tatsioni, M. Chung, I. H. Rosenberg, J. Lau, A. H. Lichtenstein, and E. M. Balk Heterogeneity and Lack of Good Quality Studies Limit Association Between Folate, Vitamins B-6 and B-12, and Cognitive Function J. Nutr., July 1, 2007; 137(7): 1789 - 1794. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L Tucker, N. Qiao, T. Scott, I. Rosenberg, and A. Spiro III High homocysteine and low B vitamins predict cognitive decline in aging men: the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2005; 82(3): 627 - 635. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. H. Keller, T. Ostbye, and R. Goy Nutritional Risk Predicts Quality of Life in Elderly Community-Living Canadians J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., January 1, 2004; 59(1): M68 - 74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. M. Black Micronutrient Deficiencies and Cognitive Functioning J. Nutr., November 1, 2003; 133(11): 3927S - 3931. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R Sharkey, C. Giuliani, P. S Haines, L. G Branch, J. Busby-Whitehead, and N. Zohoori Summary measure of dietary musculoskeletal nutrient (calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus) intakes is associated with lower-extremity physical performance in homebound elderly men and women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2003; 77(4): 847 - 856. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R Sharkey, L. G Branch, N. Zohoori, C. Giuliani, J. Busby-Whitehead, and P. S Haines Inadequate nutrient intakes among homebound elderly and their correlation with individual characteristics and health-related factors Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2002; 76(6): 1435 - 1445. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Bryan, E. Calvaresi, and D. Hughes Short-Term Folate, Vitamin B-12 or Vitamin B-6 Supplementation Slightly Affects Memory Performance But Not Mood in Women of Various Ages J. Nutr., June 1, 2002; 132(6): 1345 - 1356. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J Duthie, L. J Whalley, A. R Collins, S. Leaper, K. Berger, and I. J Deary Homocysteine, B vitamin status, and cognitive function in the elderly Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2002; 75(5): 908 - 913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Z. van Asselt, J. W. Pasman, H. J. van Lier, D. M. Vingerhoets, P. J. Poels, Y. Kuin, H. J. Blom, and W. H. Hoefnagels Cobalamin Supplementation Improves Cognitive and Cerebral Function in Older, Cobalamin-Deficient Persons J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2001; 56(12): M775 - 779. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Calvaresi and J. Bryan B Vitamins, Cognition, and Aging: A Review J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2001; 56(6): P327 - 339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Morris, P. F Jacques, I. H Rosenberg, and J. Selhub Hyperhomocysteinemia associated with poor recall in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2001; 73(5): 927 - 933. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Nilsson, L. Gustafson, and B. Hultberg The Plasma Homocysteine Concentration Is Better Than That of Serum Methylmalonic Acid as a Marker for Sociopsychological Performance in a Psychogeriatric Population Clin. Chem., May 1, 2000; 46(5): 691 - 696. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Selhub, L. C Bagley, J. Miller, and I. H Rosenberg B vitamins, homocysteine, and neurocognitive function in the elderly1 Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2000; 71(2): 614s - 620s. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Selhub, P. F. Jacques, I. H. Rosenberg, G. Rogers, B. A. Bowman, E. W. Gunter, J. D. Wright, and C. L. Johnson Serum Total Homocysteine Concentrations in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1991-1994): Population Reference Ranges and Contribution of Vitamin Status to High Serum Concentrations Ann Intern Med, September 7, 1999; 131(5): 331 - 339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Lavernia, R. J. Sierra, and L. Baerga Nutritional Parameters and Short Term Outcome in Arthroplasty J. Am. Coll. Nutr., June 1, 1999; 18(3): 274 - 278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]