Effect of a two-year supplementation with low doses of antioxidant vitamins and/or minerals in elderly subjects on levels of nutrients and antioxidant defense parameters.

Eighty-one elderly hospitalized subjects (> 65 years) were recruited for a double-blind placebo-controlled study to examine low dose supplementation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals on biological and functional parameters of free radical metabolism. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups, daily receiving for 2 years: placebo group; mineral group: 20 mg zinc, 100 micrograms selenium; vitamin group: 120 mg vitamin C (Vit C), 6 mg beta-carotene (beta CA), 15 mg vitamin E (Vit E); mineral and vitamin group: Zn 20 mg, Se 100 micrograms, Vit C 120 mg, beta CA 6 mg, Vit E 15 mg.Fifty-seven subjects completed the study. A large frequency of Vit C, Zn and Se deficiencies were observed at baseline. As early as 6 months of treatment, a significant increase in vitamin and mineral serum levels was observed in the corresponding groups. The increases ranged from 1.1-4.0 fold depending on the nutrient. Antioxidant defense, studied in vitro with a test using red blood cells in presence of ...