A new study has shown an association between patterns of nutritional inadequacy and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in older adults with hypertension, according to a study published Monday. The authors said the patterns may be an important risk factor for this population. BMC Public Health.
The data came from 6,924 people aged 60 or older enrolled in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. The researchers followed the data for an average of 8.7 years.
The researchers tested levels of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, fiber, folate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and selenium, and found that the analysis classified malnutrition into four classes: undernourished, adequate nutrition, inadequate nutrition and inadequate intake of fiber, magnesium and vitamin E. Notably, the “insufficient intake of fiber, magnesium and vitamin E” group was similar to the “adequate nutrition” group, but had lower levels of vitamin E, fiber and magnesium.
The highest hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was in the “undernourished” group, followed by “undernourished” and “deficient in dietary fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E.” The highest hazard ratio for cardiovascular disease-related mortality was in the “undernourished” group, followed by “sufficient nutrition,” “deficient in dietary fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E,” and “undernourished.” In a previous study, the authors showed that a higher intake of dietary fiber was associated with a lower risk of death in older adults with hypertension.
Compared with the “adequate nutrition” group, participants with poor nutritional status tended to be at higher risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality, the authors write.
Increasing nutritional deficiency was associated with a significant increase in risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
“This study suggests that dietary nutrient deficiency patterns in vitamins, dietary fiber, and minerals, particularly fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E, have a significant impact on the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in older adults with hypertension,” the authors write.
