Nutrition Through Time: 7 Things Your Body Needs More as You Age

Following a healthy diet and meeting nutrition needs is important for everyone, but as people age, their nutritional needs change.

While they need less of some things, such as calories, they need more of other things. Understanding these revised requirements will help seniors and anyone helping to take care of them provide the optimal diet for longer life.

Although diet can’t cure all ills, it can help minimize the risk of developing many of the health problems common among older individuals.

Water and Other Fluids

One problem common among older adults is dehydration. Staff members from Brandywine Senior Living and other assisted living facilities need to be particularly careful to watch for this problem. It often goes unnoticed, and the symptoms of dehydration can easily be confused with those from other health issues. Part of the reason for this problem is that as people age, their sense of thirst doesn’t work as well. It helps to keep a glass of water handy to sip from throughout the day because not all people can drink an entire glass at once comfortably.

Protein

Many people don’t realize that people need more protein as they age. Additional protein in the diet helps limit muscle loss, especially when paired with strength training exercises. Aim for 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. The only exception is for people with kidney issues.

Calcium, Vitamin D, Potassium, and Magnesium

Older adults are at a greater risk for osteoporosis, and these four nutrients are all important for strong bones. Vitamin D and magnesium help keep the immune system functioning well, and potassium helps minimize blood pressure levels. As people age, they don’t absorb as much magnesium, so they need to include more in their diet.

Iron

You can develop anemia if you don’t consume enough iron. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies. Symptoms include being lethargic and tired. Vegetarians may be particularly in need of a little extra iron, as the iron found in plant foods isn’t as easily absorbed as that from animal foods.

Fiber

If your digestive system isn’t working as well as it used to, this is a common occurrence in older people. Increasing fiber intake can help minimize this issue and get things moving on a more regular basis. Higher fiber intake also helps limit the risk of heart disease. Just remember that, when you increase … Read the rest

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