Dr. Grossman’s Blog

image via dot.state.ak.us

A new study shows that “perceptual training” can improve vision in older adults.

A study of people over 65 published in the Journal of Vision shows that after undergoing two days of training older adults performed as well on visual processing tests as college aged students.  The participants were able to maintain this higher level of functioning for up to three months.

Researchers say that this shows “a high degree of brain plasticity among the elderly and suggest that this technique is useful for recovering from declines in vision due to normal aging.”  They went on to correlate such improvement in visual abilities with improved safety and quality of life, specifically related to automobile driving. Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/209056.php

Visit this site for free eye exercises related to a number of eye conditions.

Researchers studied food and vitamin/mineral supplement consumption of adults in the United States in an effort to measure whether older adults were consuming enough nutrients.

In this study, 4,384 adults aged 51 years and older were evaluated.  1,777 reported taking supplements daily, 428 took them infrequently, and 2179 did not take daily supplements.  Nutrient intake distributions were estimated using the Iowa State University Method.

The results? 

Overall, less than 50% of adults evaluated met the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for folate, vitamin E, and magnesium from food sources alone.

Of those who were taking supplements, 80% or more met the EAR for vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C, and E; folate; iron; and zinc, but not magnesium.  However, it was noted that some supplement users, particularly men, exceeded Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for iron and zinc and a small percentage of women exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for vitamin A.

The researchers concluded that a large proportion of older adults do not consume sufficient amounts of many nutrients from foods alone. Supplements can help compensate for this deficiency, but only an estimated half of this population uses them daily.

Learn tips for taking vitamins and maintaining good digestion

Read about good food sources for nutrients

SOURCE: “Older adults who use vitamin/mineral supplements differ from nonuser in nutrient intake adequacy and dietary attitudes”, Sebastian, et al, Journal of the American Dietetic Assoc 107(8):1322-32, 2007.