{"id":6522,"date":"2021-11-12T16:26:10","date_gmt":"2021-11-12T21:26:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/41\/?p=6522"},"modified":"2021-11-12T16:26:10","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T21:26:10","slug":"what-nutrients-do-the-elderly-often-fail-to-get-enough-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/41\/florida\/stpete\/blog\/what-nutrients-do-the-elderly-often-fail-to-get-enough-of\/","title":{"rendered":"What Nutrients Do the Elderly Often Fail to Get Enough Of?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are increasing. Some of it is the diet people stick to. High fat, high sugar diets are causing problems. Older people miss out on essential nutrients that help lower the risk of chronic health conditions like these.<\/p>\n

B Vitamins<\/h2>\n

B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B6, B-7, B-9, and B-12 make up the B vitamin complex essential to body functions. They help with red blood cells grow. They provide energy and help with healthy brain function. B vitamins also help with nerve function, hormone production, and muscle and heart health.<\/p>\n

Older adults don’t often get enough of the B vitamins. To ensure your mom and dad get enough, they should ensure their diets include dairy products like cheese and milk, eggs, and fatty fish.<\/p>\n

Fiber<\/h2>\n
\"Elder

Elder Care in Gulfport FL<\/p><\/div>\n

After the age of 50, women should be getting 22.4 grams of fiber each day. Men should get 28 grams. Fiber helps prevent constipation by ensuring there is plenty of water in the intestinal tract. It also helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n

Ideally, your parents want to get both insoluble and soluble fiber. They’ll find it in foods like whole-wheat flour, nuts, legumes, and whole grains.<\/p>\n

Omega-3 Fatty Acids<\/h2>\n

Omega-3 fatty acids help with cell health. They provide energy, but they also help your blood vessels and organs maintain health. They’re a beneficial form of fat and can help lower your triglyceride levels.<\/p>\n

Find omega-3 fatty acids in fish like anchovies, herring, and mackerel. It’s also found in seeds and nuts, especially chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.<\/p>\n

Protein<\/h2>\n

Protein is important. It helps build and repair muscle. It’s important for strong muscles, which also helps with balance and stamina. Your heart is a muscle, so protein is essential for heart function.<\/p>\n

How much protein should your parents eat each day? Guidelines are to make sure you’re eating at least 0.8 grams per kilogram of weight, which is about 0.4 grams per pound. If your dad weighs 200 pounds, he should be eating around 80 grams of protein each day.<\/p>\n

Vitamin D<\/h2>\n

Vitamin D isn’t readily found in foods that aren’t fortified with it. It’s easiest to get it from sunlight, but fears of skin cancer often keep people from exposing their skin to the sun enough to benefit from the vitamin D found in UV rays. Around 60% of older adults in one study were found to have a vitamin D deficiency.<\/p>\n

Studies have found that vitamin D deficiencies can impact cognitive function and bone strength. Your mom and dad need to eat plenty of foods that have vitamin D, such as fortified cereals and juices. They may want to ask their doctor if a vitamin D supplement is recommended.<\/p>\n

Have you looked into meal preparation services from an elder care agency<\/a>? Caregivers can stop in as often as desired and cook meals and snacks for your parents. Call an elder care<\/a> expert to get started.<\/p>\n

Sources:
\nhttps:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4924200\/<\/p>\n

Why Is Fiber Important for Older Adults?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n