Final answer:
Vitamin D is often lacking in the diets of older adults, particularly elderly women, and is essential for bone health. Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to bone disorders like osteoporosis. A diet rich in vitamin D or supplementation can help to maintain optimal levels in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vitamin often lacking in the diets of older adults, especially elderly women, is vitamin D. This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for maintaining proper bone health by aiding in the absorption of calcium. As we age, the skin's ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight decreases, and the kidneys become less efficient at converting vitamin D into its active form, which adds to the risk of deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis, especially in elderly women. Rickets, which is caused by a lack of vitamin D, results in improper bone development in children, but adults can also suffer from bone-related diseases due to the deficiency of this vitamin. Although thiamine, pantothenic acid, and niacin are also important vitamins, they are not typically the ones most deficient in elderly women's diets as compared to vitamin D.
It is important to address nutritional gaps through diet or supplements, prioritizing food first, then supplements if necessary. Foods rich in vitamin D include fatty fish, fortified milk, and egg yolks. For some individuals, particularly those with limited sun exposure or absorption issues, supplementing with vitamin D can be necessary to maintain optimal levels.