Senior Citizens Have Changing Nutritional Needs
- Author Jeremy Smith
- Published September 21, 2010
- Word count 437
One of the most common problems that senior citizens have is nutrition. Many do not eat properly. Following a well-balanced diet is one way to improve nutrition. For senior citizens who have a home health care professional assisting with meal plans, this is less of a concern. Aging parents or loved ones that live alone may not be eating the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals.
Those over 50 years old should increase their intake of vitamins D and K, as well as calcium and anti-oxidants. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium. Together, calcium and vitamin D help to reduce osteoporosis while strengthening bones and bolstering the immune system. They also keep the nervous system functioning well.
Stomach acid production is reduced or lost entirely in about a third of all seniors. As a result, certain vitamins, such as B6 and B12 are lost. The absorption of folic acid is diminished as well. This can alter alertness and reduce circulation in the fingers and toes.
Memory is also affected.
While vitamin and mineral intake should be increased, the consumption of both salt and sugar should be reduced. Salt, or sodium, is one way of increasing blood pressure and reducing circulation. Too much sugar can increase the risk of diabetes and trigger other ailments.
One reason seniors eat more processed food is that it is easier to prepare. Those that have dentures or painful teeth find it easier to eat. Seniors that do not have someone to help them with cooking and eating, such as home nursing professionals, have a more difficult time finding and eating the right foods. In many cases, they may not know that they even have a problem.
Another problem facing seniors is the conflict of prescription medication with the body’s absorption of vitamins and minerals. Patients should ask their physicians or home caregivers whether the medicines they are taking are prone to causing vitamin deficiency. This problem can often be counteracted by taking vitamin supplements or changing dietary habits.
Senior nutrition is different from nutrition for others. They need more help in making the correct food choices. Their saliva production is reduced. Their ability to make decisions may be diminished. They may be unaware of the increased physical needs that they have. Their appetite is diminished. Many seniors only eat one or two meals per day. This causes a loss of weight and also a loss of the vitamins and minerals that they should be ingesting. The home health care professional can assist with these issues, as can an adult child or loved one that lives with them or nearby.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on home nursing, please visit http://www.interimhealthcare.com/ .
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Pumpkin Spice, But Make It Office-Friendly: A Beginner’s Halloween Makeup You Can Wear to Work
- The Man Behind the Cape: The Life and Tragic Fall of George Reeves.
- Is Learning to Drive in an Automatic Car Easier? — Expert Answers from Autogear Driving School Glasgow
- Nature’s First Superfood: Why Breast Milk Is the Ultimate Nourishment for Your Baby.
- Decorating the Humble Ranch House This Holiday Season with Vintage Carved Wood Furniture
- Personalized Carved Wood Doors: Your Gateway to Resort-Style Living at Home
- Cozy Neutrals and Natural Textures: Creating Your Deep, Lived-In Sanctuary
- Home for the Holidays: Creating Wholesome Spaces with Vintage Furniture and Antique Carved Doors
- Beyond the Buzzword: Understanding the Difference Between Ketosis and the Ketogenic Diet.
- The 24-290 mm Paradox: Why a 12× Zoom from 2001 Still Outresolves Today’s 8K Sensors
- The Power of Ketosis: Unlocking Your Body’s Hidden Energy Source.
- Navy Veteran With Dementia Found Dead in Assisted Living Freezer!
- Fueling the Future: Why Ketosis Is the Key to Lasting Energy and Metabolic Health.
- The Genetic Stew
- Common challenges in IT modernization
- Naka Solutions Reviews: Innovation, Quality Service, and Trader Trust
- The Style Upgrade: Why Coretec Floors Outshine Traditional Vinyl
- Ketosis Unlocked: The Science Behind Your Body’s Natural Fat-Burning State.
- Luxury Morocco Shore Excursions: Discover Authentic Beauty in Comfort and Style
- The Silent Disruptor: Understanding How Thyroid Imbalance Affects Your Body.
- Fehmi Lights Inc. & Fehmi Lites Manufacturing Co. – Shaping the Future of Illumination
- Thyroid and Hormone Harmony: The Delicate Balance That Shapes Your Health.
- Discover Morocco with Face Tours: Authentic Journeys Across the Kingdom
- The Thyroid Connection: How This Small Gland Controls Big Changes in Your Body.
- Morocco: The Rising Star of African Tourism — A Journey Through Culture, Desert, and Hospitality
- The Hidden Power of the Thyroid: Why This Tiny Gland Shapes Your Entire Health.
- The Thyroid Explained: Understanding the Silent Regulator of Health.
- Local Guide for Giles County and Pulaski, TN Real Estate Market
- Warts and Your Health: Why Ignoring Them Can Lead to Bigger Problems.
- The Hidden Dangers of Excess Weight: Why Your Health Can’t Afford to Wait.