The evidence for the effectiveness of the routine use of multivitamins in elderly people to reduce infections is weak and conflicting .

Ageing is associated with physiological and economical changes that compromise nutritional status.
In addiction, the increased susceptibility to infections is very common in older people.

It has been shown that in elderly supplementation with different nutrients improves immune status.

The clinical importance of these findings is still a subject of debate.

Alia El-Kadiki, from Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and Alexander J. Sutton, from the University of Leicester in the UK, have undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled study.

The researchers evaluated eight studies, all placebo-controlled trials.

In three studies, routine use of multivitamins and mineral supplements was found to reduce the mean annual number of days spent with infection with a benefit of approximately 17.5 days.

Three studies reported al least one infection during the study period for vitamins and minerals compared to placebo.

Data from four studies showed an indication that multivitamins and minerals may reduce the number of infections.

The evidence for the effectiveness of the routine use of multivitamins in elderly people to reduce infections is weak and conflicting .

Currently, not enough evidence exists to recommend the routine use of micronutrient supplements for an elderly population.

Source: British Medical Journal, 2005


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