What are the Factors Affecting Nutrition in Old Age?

As you get older, healthy eating becomes more important. Because nutritional deficiencies can occur. Quality of life may decrease. These affect health negatively. There are some points to be considered in order to prevent age-related nutrient deficiencies. For example, eating nutrient-rich foods and taking appropriate nutritional supplements… factors affecting nutrition in old age and things to know…

Factors affecting nutrition in old age

Does aging affect nutritional needs??

• Aging causes various changes in the body such as muscle loss, thinning of the skin, and decrease in stomach acid.
• For example, low stomach acid Vitamin B12It affects the absorption of nutrients such as calcium, iron and magnesium.
• As people age, their ability to recognize vital senses such as hunger and thirst decreases.
• This can lead to dehydration and accidental weight loss over time.

Fewer calories but more nutrients

• If the same amount of calories taken when young continue to be consumed, fat will form in the elderly, especially around the belly area.
• Although older adults need fewer calories, they do need higher intakes of nutrients compared to younger adults.
• This makes it important to eat fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meats.
• Factors affecting nutrition in old ageThe most important of these is the increase in the need for protein, vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12.

Need more protein

• As age progresses, muscle strength is lost. 
• The average adult loses 30-3% of their muscle mass per decade after the age of 8.
• Loss of muscle mass and strength, sarcopenia known as. 
• Eating more protein helps the body maintain muscle and fight sarcopenia.

Consumption of fibrous foods should be increased

• Constipationis a common health problem among the elderly. This is because people during this period move less.
• Foods high in fiber help relieve constipation. 
• It passes through the intestine without being digested, forming stool and promoting regular bowel movement.

High need for calcium and vitamin D

• Calcium ve Vitamin Dare the two most important nutrients for bone health. 
• With age, the intestinal capacity to absorb calcium decreases.
• Aging thins the skin, reducing the body's ability to make vitamin D. 
• To counter the effects of aging on vitamin D and calcium levels, it is necessary to get more calcium and vitamin D through food and supplements. 

Vitamin B12 is needed

• Vitamin B12 is essential for making red blood cells and maintaining healthy brain function.
• The ability of people over 50 to absorb vitamin B12 decreases over time. This increases the risk of B12 deficiency.
• Factors affecting nutrition in old ageOlder people should take vitamin B12 supplements or eat foods fortified with vitamin B12. 

Foods that elderly people may need

As you get older, your need for certain nutrients increases:

Potassium: The risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney stones, osteoporosis, heart disease, which are common among the elderly, decreases with adequate potassium intake.

Omega 3 fatty acids: Omega 3 fatty acids reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and triglycerides. Therefore, elderly people should pay attention to the consumption of this nutrient.

Magnesium: Unfortunately, the elderly are due to poor drug use and age-related changes in bowel function. magnesium risk of deficiency.

Iron: iron deficiency It is common in older people. This can cause anemia.

Drinking water is much more important as you get older

• It is important to drink water at any age, as the body is constantly losing water through sweat and urine. 
• But aging makes people prone to dehydration.
• Our body senses thirst through receptors located in the brain and throughout the body. 
• As they age, these receptors become less sensitive to changes that make it harder for them to detect thirst.

• Therefore, it is necessary to make a conscious effort to drink enough water every day. 

Need to eat enough

• Factors affecting nutrition in old ageAnother reason is the decreased appetite of older people. 
• If care is not taken, nutrient deficiencies may occur along with unintended weight loss. 
• Loss of appetite causes health problems. It even increases the risk of death.

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