To clarify the nutritional status of thiamin and riboflavin status in elderly, dietary survey and blood test concerning thiamin and riboflavin were carried out on 19 elderly patients admitted in a hospital for long term and 20 young healthy adults (control). Dietary intake of thiamin and riboflavin were significantly lower in the elderly subjects as compared to the young adults. It was assumed that 14 elderly and 10 young subjects were in the state of latent thiamin deficiency based on the blood thiamin levels less than 40 ng/ml. Administration of multivitamin tablets containing 10 mg of TTFD (thiamin tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) and 7 mg of riboflavin diminished the number of latent thiamin deficient subjects to 9 for elderly and 2 for young adults. Erythrocyte transketolase activities increased and TPP effects decreased in both groups after administration of the multivitamin tablets. On the other hand, no latent riboflavin deficiency was observed in both groups. Although no significant change was observed on blood riboflavin levels, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activities and FAD effect in both elderly and young subjects, these values improved significantly after administration of the multivitamin tablets.
