Elderly nutrition

 

Nutrient deficiencies increase with age. Body fat increases if decrease in energy requirement is not meet by decrease in caloric intake. Some important nutrients seniors are vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D and anti-oxidants as it slower the effects of calcium and aging. Here are some of the problems that elder people may suffer from because of lack of nutrition.

Elderly health challenges

 

Memory loss

Memory loss is not normal in old age. There are so many such elder people who do not go through such problems. People forget to take meal or medicines or they go to cupboard for food and many more things. All these things happen just because of weak memory or memory loss.

 

Problems with eyes, nose, ears, throat and mouth

Senior people may suffer from hearing problem, vision dims, swallowing difficulties, tooth pain, mouth pain, smells are different, poor fitting dentures and dry mouth.

 

Stomach related problem

In older age, digestion process get slow. People like to have sweets as starter because of change in taste buds. Elderly have less food because their stomach fills quickly and all these things results in lack of nutrition.

 

Other problems

Other problems commonly scene in seniors are heart palpitations, respiratory trouble, emotional changes such as depression and joint and bone pain.

 

Some of the essential nutrients in old age are as follows:

 

Electrolytes

Electrolytes are essential for conducting electricity in human body and found in the form of sodium, magnesium, potassium and chloride. These electrolytes are very important in the ability and wellness of nerves for sending electric signals. For example, lack of potassium and too mush sodium (salt) can slow reaction process to signals.

 

Fiber

It is recommended to take 14 gram fiber per 1000 calories or 21 – 30 gram dietary fiber per day for elderly. But according to survey, it is recorded that most of the females take 14 grams of fiber and males take 18 grams fiber in their meal. Fiber is important for elderly because it decrease non insulin-dependent diabetes risk in women and coronary heart diseases and diverticular disease in men and also reduces high blood pressure in both.

vitamins for elders

Vitamin D

With the increasing age, ability of body decreases to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. It is because of the less sun exposure or being home-bound. The recommended intake amount of vitamin D to elderly is 10 micrograms till 70 years and 15 micrograms after 70 years.

 

Vitamin B12

Lack of vitamin B12 in elderly may result in loss of physical co-ordination, deterioration of medical function and change in personality. Nutritionists recommend to have purified form of vitamin B12 as it better absorbed. Purified form of vitamin B12 can be found in soy products, cereals and also in supplements.

 

Vitamin A

Here, the problem is not deficiency. Actually, elderly intake overdose of vitamin A than the recommended amount which is 900 mcg for men and 700 mcg for women. Hence, risk of liver damage is high in elders than younger individuals. Symptoms of vitamin A toxicity are hair loss, nausea, dry skin, blurred vision, weakness and irritability. To prevent such problems, elderly should intake recommended amount of vitamin A.