Moderate 'multivitamin' supplementation improved folate and vitamin B12 status in the elderly.

The dependent elderly are widely considered to be at higher risk of nutritional problems. Suboptimal micronutrient intake might put the elderly, especially those living in nursing homes, at high risk of morbidity. So far, no public authority, except for the Israel Ministry of Health, has issued particular recommendations for micronutrient supplementation for the elderly.

Homocysteine effect on protein degradation rates.

Objectives: To show the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on the degradation rates of proteins.

Design And Methods: Degradation rates of short-lived proteins in neutrophils were measured in in vivo human model of elevated plasma Hcy and lower vitamin status and in animal model of Hcy added in vitro to rat neutrophils.

Results: In the human study, we found significant coefficients of correlation between plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and the degradation rates of 21 protein fractions.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and vitamin score: correlations with silent brain ischemic lesions and brain atrophy.

Elevated fasting plasma total homocysteine concentration (tHcy) and lower vitamin status are associated with atherosclerotic states. Silent brain ischemic lesions and brain atrophy, prevailing in the elderly, are affected by tHcy and vitamin status. The study was performed on 56 outpatients who had undergone brain computed tomography (CT) before the onset of the study.