Table 1:
Conditions that May Be Improved by Nutrient Supplementation
|
Disease |
Nutrient(s) |
Rationale |
Anemia, microcytic |
Iron |
Increased need in high–risk groups
(eg, pregnant adolescents) |
Anemia, pernicious |
Vitamin B12 |
Elderly individuals, postgastrectomy
patients |
Burn injury |
Vitamins A, D & E; carotenoids;
selenium, zinc, copper |
Low blood levels; increases needed
to support immune function |
Celiac sprue |
Vitamins D, E & K;
B–vitamins; iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium |
Restricted diet increases risk
for
deficiency |
Congestive heart failure |
Thiamine, magnesium |
Loss due to diuretics may further
compromise cardiac function |
Cystic fibrosis |
Vitamins A, D, E,
K &
C; selenium, zinc |
Malabsorption, low blood levels;
greater
oxidative stress |
Eating disorders |
Multivitamin/mineral, calcium,
vitamin D |
Poor intake; evidence of deficiency;
reversal of osteoporosis in patients with anorexia nervosa |
End–stage kidney disease |
B–vitamins, vitamin C |
Losses due to
dialysis treatment |
Inflammatory bowel disease |
Beta–carotene, vitamins C, D & E;
selenium, zinc |
Malabsorption |
Macular degeneration |
C, E, beta–carotene; zinc, copper,
lutein |
Reduction of oxidative stress in
the macula; some evidence of benefit in clinical trials |
Osteoporosis |
Calcium, vitamin D |
Elderly individuals; persons on
long–term corticosteroid treatment |
