MILK BIOFORTIFICATION MAY PROMOTE HEALTH BENEFITS IN INSTITUTIONALIZED OLDER PEOPLE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure the changes caused by biofortified milk enriched with selenium, vitamin E and/or improved fatty acid profile in biochemical parameters of institutionalized older people. 132 institutionalized older persons were divided into four groups who received the following treatments: C= Control milk with 3.98 µmol/l vitamin E, 0.37 µmol/l selenium, 2.24 mmol/l CLA; A= Biofortified milk with 5.05 µmol/l vitamin E, 3.63 µmol/l selenium, 6.57 mmol/l CLA; O= Biofortified milk with 4.28 µmol/l vitamin E, 0.20 µmol/l selenium, 5.71 mmol/l CLA and AO=5.21 µmol/l vitamin E, 4.42 µmol/l selenium, 6.85 mmol/l CLA for 12 weeks. Consumption of AO or O milk decreased total cholesterol in 6.8 % (p=0.0429) and LDL in 10.6 % (p=0.0292). Participants who consumed O milk had a higher HDL (42.6±1.2 mg/dl) than those who consumed A (37.7±1.2 mg/dl, p=0.0047). The consumption of biofortified milk with selenium, vitamin E and CLA, resulted in a better lipid profile and higher plasma antioxidant levels in institutionalized elderly.