Relation of riboflavin nutriture in healthy elderly to intake of calcium and vitamin supplements: evidence against riboflavin supplementation

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Abstract
The status of riboflavin nutriture was evaluated in 24 healthy elderly female residents of a private, nonprofit facility for the care of ambulatory elderly. Riboflavin intake by history was greater than or equal to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for this nutrient in all but three subjects, and the average intake in the group as a whole was 50% greater than the RDA. Confirmatory of the findings by history, the status of riboflavin nutriture was excellent in nearly all subjects as evaluated by urinary riboflavin excretion and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient. By contrast, calcium intake was greater than or equal to the RDA in ony four of the 24 subjects. The adequacy of calcium intake was found to depend upon a sufficiently high percentage of the total dietary intake of riboflavin being derived from milk and dairy products. It was observed that individual calcium intakes were less than 80% of the RDA unless 40% or more of the total intake of riboflavin was derived from milk and dairy products rather than from other food sources. In those subjects taking daily supplementation with a single multivitamin tablet containing low levels of riboflavin, the total intake of riboflavin and its urinary excretion were increased similarly, suggesting that even small amounts of riboflavin are not retained by elderly subjects consuming a diet adequate in riboflavin. This study suggests that careful selection of B vitamin sources can be made for older individuals to assure that the intakes of both calcium and riboflavin are satisfactory, and furthermore that the use of riboflavin in vitamin supplements, even at very low doses, is largely wasted in healthy elderly individuals consuming adequate amounts of this vitamin from food sources.