Lilia Malkin, BSc
Nutritional status has been widely acknowledged to play a key role in the maintenance of health and recovery from disease. Malnutrition has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality, while nutritional support through enteral or parenteral routes has been demonstrated to contribute to reduced morbidity and shorter hospital stays.1 It is also recognized that while several vitamins and minerals are essential to the human body, nutrient intake requirements do vary across age groups. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to obtain the necessary nutrients from food products alone. The challenge of maintaining a well-balanced diet with appropriate caloric and nutritional intake is made more difficult in the ill and the elderly, resulting in malnutrition. This article will focus on the unique nutrient requirements of the geriatric population and the potential contribution of oral nutritional supplements in ensuring a well-balanced diet among both community-dwelling and hospitalized members of this age group.
Nutrient requirements
As the body grows older, it undergoes a multitude of physiologic alterations, resulting in changes in macro- and micro-nutrient requirements.
