100 years of vitamins: adequate intake in the elderly is still a matter of concern.

Demographic changes lead to an ever greater number of elderly people and mounting evidence suggests an association between vitamin status and the development of noncommunicable diseases. However, even in affluent Western countries, data from dietary intake surveys indicate that vitamin inadequacy is widespread even in healthy elderly. Changes inherent to the aging process lead to the need for increased nutrient density, which is difficult to achieve from diet alone. Where this is not sufficient to close the gap between actual vitamin intakes and recommendations, fortified foods and dietary supplements specifically targeted at the growing segment of healthy elderly can be a pragmatic solution.