A recent study found that elderly persons who are socially isolated are more likely to be deficient in important micronutrients like vitamin C and vitamin B6, which raises their risk of health issues.

Researchers at University College London (UCL) discovered that those with higher levels of social isolation were also more likely to consume less of the five micronutrients—magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin B6—than is advised.

Fish, vegetables, legumes (including peas, beans, and lentils), and fruit all contain trace amounts of these micronutrients, which suggests a diet low in these foods.

“This is important as inadequate intake of these micronutrients puts people at greater risk of health problems as they get older,” said professor Andrew Steptoe from UCL Behavioural Science and Health in the study published in the journal Age and Ageing.

A possible reason for this connection is that individuals who are more isolated may not have as many people in their immediate vicinity to enlighten them about healthful options and motivate a more diverse diet.

According to the scientists, elderly individuals also have a tendency to stick to meals they are familiar with and may not eat as diversely as they formerly did.

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), in which a nationally representative population sample in England responds to a series of inquiries every two years, provided the data used by the researchers. Based on whether or not they lived alone, how frequently they encountered friends and family outside of their home, and whether or not they were involved in any groups or organizations, the respondents were rated according to how socially isolated they were.

The researchers discovered that, two years later, a one-point rise in individuals’ social isolation scores was associated with a higher risk of insufficient intake of five of the nine essential micronutrients.

Lack of social interaction did not appear to increase the risk of low levels of calcium, iron, or vitamin B12—micronutrients that are mostly found in meat, eggs, and dairy products. This implied that a more conventional diet with less fruit, nuts, seeds, and legumes, as well as fewer vegetables (such dark leafy greens), may be more common in those who were less socially connected during the study.