Vitamin supplement use in a Southern California retirement community
Gray, G.E.; Paganini-Hill, A.; Ross, R.K.; Henderson, B.E.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 86(6): 800-802
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 3711563 Document Number: 282544
Results of a cohort study of self-reported vitamin supplement usage and its relationship to other personal habits in 11,888 elderly residents (64 per cent women) of a retirement community in Southern California. Vitamin supplements were used by 60-70 per cent of both sexes over periods of 1-75 years (median, 15 years), but no variation in use with age was noted. Of those taking vitamin A, about 7 per cent were taking potentially toxic doses; 37 per cent and 53 per cent of those taking vitamin C and E supplements, respectively, had intakes of at least 10 times the respective RDA. Vitamin supplement use was not associated with the presence or absence of chronic diseases or various health-related habits and health-screening behaviors.(wz)