[Recent advances in geriatric vitaminology].

The recent report concludes that elderly people have satisfying the recommended daily allowance in nutritional consumption except for calcium. However, those who are institutionalized, of low income, alcoholic and living alone are at high risk of vitamin deficiency. The high incidence in vitamin deficiency is shown when vitamin levels were measured with biological activity. Physiological range of vitamin seems to be enough to normalize this deficiency and nutritional supplementation would be useful. Those who are with the lack of calcium consumption or of time spent under the sunshine are at higher risk of having fracture. This is because of secondary hyperparathyroidism triggered by the decreased concentrations in serum calcium and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 level, and it is suspected to be the cause of osteoporosis among the elderly. To prevent the progression of osteoporosis in the elderly, serum PTH level needs to be kept in the normal range, and 100 IU/day, the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D in Japan, is far too small.