Nutritional Status of Elderly Smokers and Non-smokers

Nutrient intake and biochemical nutrient markers were compared for 87 smoking and 637 non-smoking elderly residents of the Boston area. Intakes were estimated with three-day diet records and nutrient supplement use histories for vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and B12, folate, vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium. Smokers' dietary intakes of all nutrients except for vitamin B12 and zinc were significantly lower (p= 0.05) than non-smokers' intakes after adjustment for age and sex. Biochemical markers of nutritional status included plasma retinol, total caroteno-ids and vitamin E; erythrocyte enzyme activity coefficients for thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin B6; plasma vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C; and serum zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium. Lower blood levels of carotenoids, retinol, riboflavin, vitamin C and magnesium and higher levels of calcium were seen in smokers compared to non-smokers (p < 0.05) after adjustment for age and sex. Differences in carotenoid, riboflavin and calcium levels persisted after adjustment for intakes of these nutrients.