Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people

Publikation: Qualifikations-/StudienabschlussarbeitDissertation

Autoren

  • Felix Kerlikowsky
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Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
QualifikationDoctor rerum naturalium
Gradverleihende Hochschule
Betreut von
Datum der Verleihung des Grades30 Nov. 2023
ErscheinungsortHannover
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2023

Abstract

Hintergrund und Ziel: Die Ernährung dient bekanntermaßen nicht nur der Deckung des Energie- und Nährstoffbedarfes, sondern trägt auch zur langfristigen Gesundheit und zur Prävention chronisch-degenerativer Erkrankungen bei. Die Bevölkerungsgruppe der älteren Menschen ist nicht klar definiert, aber durch eine zunehmende Heterogenität des Gesundheitszustandes im Vergleich zu jüngeren Bevölkerungsgruppen gekennzeichnet. Die wissenschaftlichen Empfehlungen zur Energie- und Nährstoffzufuhr unterscheiden sich nicht grundsätzlich zwischen Menschen mittleren Alters und älteren Menschen, deren Heterogenität im Gesundheitszustand bisher unberücksichtig bleibt. Mit zunehmendem Alter steigt jedoch aufgrund altersassoziierter Veränderungen das Risiko einer Unterversorgung, insbesondere bei den Mikronährstoffen: Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Folat und langkettigen Omega-3-Fettsäuren (n3 FS) die auch in der Allgemeinbevölkerung kritisch sind. Ein Mangel an diesen Mikronährstoffen trägt zur Entstehung und zum Fortschreiten degenerativer Erkrankungen sowie zur Abnahme der Immunfunktion im Alter bei. Frühere Studien haben bereits Nährstoffdefizite bei pflegebedürftigen oder funktionell eingeschränkten älteren Menschen untersucht. Das übergeordnete Ziel dieser Arbeit war es im Gegensatz zu diesen Studien, den Status kritischer Mikronährstoffe bei gesunden, selbstständig lebenden älteren Menschen mit einem hohen Maß an körperlicher Aktivität zu erfassen und zu verbessern, um mögliche günstige Auswirkungen auf eine Reihe von gesundheitsbezogenen Biomarkern und den Entzündungsstatus zu untersuchen. Methodik: Diese Studie wurde als 12-wöchige, monozentrische, placebokontrollierte, doppelblinde, randomisierte klinische Interventionsstudie durchgeführt. Insgesamt erfüllten 133 Probanden alle Einschlusskriterien (≥ 70 Jahre, selbständig lebend). Als Ausschluss-kriterien galten die Einnahme von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln bis zu drei Monate vor der Untersuchung, ein BMI >35kg/m2, schwere Erkrankungen sowie die Einnahme von Immunsuppressiva oder Kortikosteroiden. Das Multi-Mikronährstoffpräparat (MMN) enthielt zahlreiche Mikronährstoffe in physiologischen Dosierungen in Kombination mit einem n3 FS Präparat. Folgende Statusmarker wurden gemessen: Omega-3-Index (O3I), 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D, Folat in Erythrozyten (RBC-Folat), Holotranscobalamin (holoTC), Methylmalonsäure (MMA) und Homocystein (Hcy). Zusätzlich wurden folgende Entzündungsmarker erhoben: Leukozytenzahl, Granulozyten-Lymphozyten-Verhältnis, Thrombozytenzahl und CRP, die anschließend zu einem inflammatorischen Score (INFLA Score) aggregiert wurden. Ergebnisse: Die Prävalenz von Mikronährstoffdefiziten war insgesamt gering: 7% der Teilnehmer hatten Serumkonzentrationen von 25-(OH)D unter 50 nmol/L, 11% hatten Konzentrationen an RBC Folat unter 570 nmol/L und 12% hatten Serumkonzentrationen von holoTC unter 50 pmol/L. Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede zeigten sich nur beim Vitamin B12 Status: 22% der Männer und nur 8% der Frauen wiesen einen niedrigen Vitamin B12 Status auf. Insgesamt erreichten 88% nicht einen wünschenswerten O3I von 8-11%. Desweiteren wiesen 63,1% der Probanden erhöhte Hcy-Konzentrationen auf. Nach der Intervention mit dem MMN kam es zu einer signifikanten Verbesserung des Vitamin D-, Folsäure-, Vitamin B12- und n3 FS Status in der Interventionsgruppe. Erhöhte Hcy-Konzentrationen wurden durch die Intervention mit dem MMN signifikant reduziert. Eine Abnahme des INFLA-Scores wurde in Abhängigkeit vom Alter und dem Anstieg des O3I beobachtet. Schlussfolgerung: Gesunde, selbstständige ältere Menschen sind überwiegend gut versorgt mit den Vitaminen D, Folat und Vitamin B12. Dennoch treten vereinzelt Versorgungslücken auf. Die Versorgung mit n3 FS entsprach der überwiegend unzureichenden Versorgung der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Unabhängig vom Folsäure- und Vitamin B12-Status profitieren ältere Menschen von einer MMN-Supplementierung durch eine Reduktion erhöhter Hcy-Konzen-trationen und in Abhängigkeit vom O3I durch eine Reduktion der Entzündungsaktivität.

Zitieren

Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people. / Kerlikowsky, Felix.
Hannover, 2023. 115 S.

Publikation: Qualifikations-/StudienabschlussarbeitDissertation

Kerlikowsky, F 2023, 'Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people', Doctor rerum naturalium, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover. https://doi.org/10.15488/15765
Kerlikowsky, F. (2023). Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people. [Dissertation, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover]. https://doi.org/10.15488/15765
Kerlikowsky F. Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people. Hannover, 2023. 115 S. doi: 10.15488/15765
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@phdthesis{1f263ba12f5746b8b7a32b960c671124,
title = "Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people",
abstract = "Background and aim: Nutrition is not only primarily concerned to achieve energy and nutrient needs, but also contributes to long-term health and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. The older population is not clearly defined, but is characterised by a phase of life in which the heterogeneity of health status and thus the level of independence increases significantly compared to younger populations. Scientific recommendations on energy and nutrient requirements are not fundamentally different between older people and the general population. However, older people are at greater risk of nutrient deficiencies due to physical, social and cognitive changes. The micronutrients vitamin D, cobalamin, folate and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (n3 FA) are considered particularly critical in older people. In addition, deficiencies of these micronutrients are thought to increase the incidence and progression of degenerative diseases and to be causal for chronic inflammation in old age. Previous studies investigate nutrient deficiencies in older people in nursing homes or with already impaired health. Limited knowledge exist about nutrient deficiencies in active, independent older people. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to assess and to improve the status of critical micronutrients in physically active and independently living older people and to investigate their impact on a number of health-related biomarkers and inflammation. Methods: This study was conducted as a 12 week single-centre, two-armed, double-blinded, and randomised clinical trial (RCT). In total, 133 healthy subjects met all the inclusion criteria (≥ 70 years, living home dwelling, and independently) and were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were defined as intake of dietary supplements up to three months before the examination, BMI>35kg/m2, severe diseases, and intake of immunosuppressant{\textquoteright}s. The multi-micronutrient supplement (MMN) contained several micronutrients in physiological doses (i.e. 400 µg folic acid, 100 µg cobalamin, 50 µg cholecalciferol, 18 mg tocopherol, 100 µg selenium, 1000 mg EPA/DHA). The status of the following micronutrients was measured: Omega-3 Index (O3I) for relative EPA+DHA levels of total fatty acids in red blood cells, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D), red blood cell folate (RBC folate), and holotranscobalamin (holoTC). In addition, concentrations of methyl malonic acid (MMA) and homocystein (hcy) were measured. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. white blood cell count, granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, CRP) were included in an aggregated marker of low-grade inflammation, previously described as the INFLA score. Results: The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies was low with 7% having serum concentrations of 25-(OH)D less than 50 nmol/L, 11% having RBC folate concentrations less than 570 nmol/L and 12% having serum concentrations of holoTC less than 50 pmol/L. Sex differences were found only in cobalamin status, where 22% of male and only 8% of female subjects were classified as having a low cobalamin status. A total of 88% failed to achieve a desirable O3I of >8%. However, 63.1% of the total cohort had elevated hcy concentrations. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in all biomarkers of micronutrient status compared to the placebo group, leading to a further improvement in vitamin D, folate, cobalamin and n3 FA status in the intervention group. Hcy concentrations were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of micronutrient supplementation. Depending on age and increase in the O3I, a reduction within the INFLA score was observed. However, the reduction were only significant in subjects aged 80 years and older. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that physically active and independently living older people with high levels of education, physical activity and health awareness are not necessarily at higher risk of vitamin D, folate and cobalamin deficiency. Specifically, gaps in micronutrient status are also prevalent in healthy and active older people. Regardless of folate and cobalamin status older people benefit from the intervention with a reduction in elevated hcy concentrations. Individual{\textquoteright}s ≥80 years or with low O3I benefited from MMN supplementation by reducing inflammatory activity.",
author = "Felix Kerlikowsky",
year = "2023",
doi = "10.15488/15765",
language = "English",
school = "Leibniz University Hannover",

}

Download

TY - BOOK

T1 - Nutrient status, metabolic health and immune function in healthy and active older people

AU - Kerlikowsky, Felix

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Background and aim: Nutrition is not only primarily concerned to achieve energy and nutrient needs, but also contributes to long-term health and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. The older population is not clearly defined, but is characterised by a phase of life in which the heterogeneity of health status and thus the level of independence increases significantly compared to younger populations. Scientific recommendations on energy and nutrient requirements are not fundamentally different between older people and the general population. However, older people are at greater risk of nutrient deficiencies due to physical, social and cognitive changes. The micronutrients vitamin D, cobalamin, folate and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (n3 FA) are considered particularly critical in older people. In addition, deficiencies of these micronutrients are thought to increase the incidence and progression of degenerative diseases and to be causal for chronic inflammation in old age. Previous studies investigate nutrient deficiencies in older people in nursing homes or with already impaired health. Limited knowledge exist about nutrient deficiencies in active, independent older people. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to assess and to improve the status of critical micronutrients in physically active and independently living older people and to investigate their impact on a number of health-related biomarkers and inflammation. Methods: This study was conducted as a 12 week single-centre, two-armed, double-blinded, and randomised clinical trial (RCT). In total, 133 healthy subjects met all the inclusion criteria (≥ 70 years, living home dwelling, and independently) and were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were defined as intake of dietary supplements up to three months before the examination, BMI>35kg/m2, severe diseases, and intake of immunosuppressant’s. The multi-micronutrient supplement (MMN) contained several micronutrients in physiological doses (i.e. 400 µg folic acid, 100 µg cobalamin, 50 µg cholecalciferol, 18 mg tocopherol, 100 µg selenium, 1000 mg EPA/DHA). The status of the following micronutrients was measured: Omega-3 Index (O3I) for relative EPA+DHA levels of total fatty acids in red blood cells, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D), red blood cell folate (RBC folate), and holotranscobalamin (holoTC). In addition, concentrations of methyl malonic acid (MMA) and homocystein (hcy) were measured. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. white blood cell count, granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, CRP) were included in an aggregated marker of low-grade inflammation, previously described as the INFLA score. Results: The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies was low with 7% having serum concentrations of 25-(OH)D less than 50 nmol/L, 11% having RBC folate concentrations less than 570 nmol/L and 12% having serum concentrations of holoTC less than 50 pmol/L. Sex differences were found only in cobalamin status, where 22% of male and only 8% of female subjects were classified as having a low cobalamin status. A total of 88% failed to achieve a desirable O3I of >8%. However, 63.1% of the total cohort had elevated hcy concentrations. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in all biomarkers of micronutrient status compared to the placebo group, leading to a further improvement in vitamin D, folate, cobalamin and n3 FA status in the intervention group. Hcy concentrations were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of micronutrient supplementation. Depending on age and increase in the O3I, a reduction within the INFLA score was observed. However, the reduction were only significant in subjects aged 80 years and older. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that physically active and independently living older people with high levels of education, physical activity and health awareness are not necessarily at higher risk of vitamin D, folate and cobalamin deficiency. Specifically, gaps in micronutrient status are also prevalent in healthy and active older people. Regardless of folate and cobalamin status older people benefit from the intervention with a reduction in elevated hcy concentrations. Individual’s ≥80 years or with low O3I benefited from MMN supplementation by reducing inflammatory activity.

AB - Background and aim: Nutrition is not only primarily concerned to achieve energy and nutrient needs, but also contributes to long-term health and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. The older population is not clearly defined, but is characterised by a phase of life in which the heterogeneity of health status and thus the level of independence increases significantly compared to younger populations. Scientific recommendations on energy and nutrient requirements are not fundamentally different between older people and the general population. However, older people are at greater risk of nutrient deficiencies due to physical, social and cognitive changes. The micronutrients vitamin D, cobalamin, folate and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (n3 FA) are considered particularly critical in older people. In addition, deficiencies of these micronutrients are thought to increase the incidence and progression of degenerative diseases and to be causal for chronic inflammation in old age. Previous studies investigate nutrient deficiencies in older people in nursing homes or with already impaired health. Limited knowledge exist about nutrient deficiencies in active, independent older people. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to assess and to improve the status of critical micronutrients in physically active and independently living older people and to investigate their impact on a number of health-related biomarkers and inflammation. Methods: This study was conducted as a 12 week single-centre, two-armed, double-blinded, and randomised clinical trial (RCT). In total, 133 healthy subjects met all the inclusion criteria (≥ 70 years, living home dwelling, and independently) and were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were defined as intake of dietary supplements up to three months before the examination, BMI>35kg/m2, severe diseases, and intake of immunosuppressant’s. The multi-micronutrient supplement (MMN) contained several micronutrients in physiological doses (i.e. 400 µg folic acid, 100 µg cobalamin, 50 µg cholecalciferol, 18 mg tocopherol, 100 µg selenium, 1000 mg EPA/DHA). The status of the following micronutrients was measured: Omega-3 Index (O3I) for relative EPA+DHA levels of total fatty acids in red blood cells, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D), red blood cell folate (RBC folate), and holotranscobalamin (holoTC). In addition, concentrations of methyl malonic acid (MMA) and homocystein (hcy) were measured. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. white blood cell count, granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio, platelet count, CRP) were included in an aggregated marker of low-grade inflammation, previously described as the INFLA score. Results: The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies was low with 7% having serum concentrations of 25-(OH)D less than 50 nmol/L, 11% having RBC folate concentrations less than 570 nmol/L and 12% having serum concentrations of holoTC less than 50 pmol/L. Sex differences were found only in cobalamin status, where 22% of male and only 8% of female subjects were classified as having a low cobalamin status. A total of 88% failed to achieve a desirable O3I of >8%. However, 63.1% of the total cohort had elevated hcy concentrations. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in all biomarkers of micronutrient status compared to the placebo group, leading to a further improvement in vitamin D, folate, cobalamin and n3 FA status in the intervention group. Hcy concentrations were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of micronutrient supplementation. Depending on age and increase in the O3I, a reduction within the INFLA score was observed. However, the reduction were only significant in subjects aged 80 years and older. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that physically active and independently living older people with high levels of education, physical activity and health awareness are not necessarily at higher risk of vitamin D, folate and cobalamin deficiency. Specifically, gaps in micronutrient status are also prevalent in healthy and active older people. Regardless of folate and cobalamin status older people benefit from the intervention with a reduction in elevated hcy concentrations. Individual’s ≥80 years or with low O3I benefited from MMN supplementation by reducing inflammatory activity.

U2 - 10.15488/15765

DO - 10.15488/15765

M3 - Doctoral thesis

CY - Hannover

ER -

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