In older adults, which nutrient deficiencies can lead to anemia?

The presence of anemia in older adults can often be attributed to deficiencies in specific nutrients, with vitamin B12 and iron being the primary culprits.

Vitamin B12 is essential for proper red blood cell formation, and its deficiency can lead to macrocytic anemia, characterized by the production of larger than normal red blood cells that are ineffective in transporting oxygen. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency due to factors such as decreased gastric acid production, which impairs the absorption of this vitamin from food sources.

Iron is crucial for the synthesis of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. A deficiency in iron results in microcytic anemia, where the body produces smaller red blood cells that contain less hemoglobin, leading to decreased oxygen delivery to tissues. In older adults, iron deficiency may be influenced by factors such as chronic blood loss, malnutrition, or inadequate dietary intake.

Therefore, the correct identification of vitamin B12 and iron as nutrient deficiencies leading to anemia underscores the importance of monitoring these nutrients in the older population to prevent and manage anemia effectively.