ONLINE STANLEY HOME AND HEALTH NEWS
brought to you by Stanley Home Products

Nutrients for Senior Citizens and Women

The rationale of incorporating dietary supplements in our lives is based on the premise that under certain conditions and situations, we are not able to provide the body with the nutrients that are essential for it’s optimum functioning. Nowhere is this truer than in the case of senior citizens.

With age, an individual loses the capacity to absorb certain nutrients, for example, senior citizens find it difficult to synthesize Vitamin D from sunlight. Elders do not easily absorb Vitamin B12 found in food. A physical debility like arthritis, at an advanced age, getting fatigued easily, makes shopping for food and preparing it difficult. The sharpness of sensory organs like taste buds gets dulled and consequently food does not taste that appetizing. Advanced age is also particularly difficult as the death or disability of a spouse can lead to major changes in living and food habits too are affected. Mature people are often found deficient in Vitamins like B, C, E and minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc. . Lack of proper vitamins and other nutrients can result in ailments like ulcers, wounds not healing quickly, even cancer.

It is by no means an easy task for senior citizens to consistently fulfill their daily nutritional requirements. Therefore, people need to adapt their dietary habits as they age so as to get maximum nutrition out of their meals. Omega 3 oils are good for the heart and are found in seafood like salmon, herring, trout, anchovies etc. They prevent blood clots from happening and are therefore essential for a healthy cardiovascular system. Calcium must be consumed by mature people in sufficient quantities, as bones get brittle with age. Milk, leafy greens, nuts and dried fruits are good sources of calcium. In order to be able to use the calcium, the body requires Vitamin D. Zinc is essential for the proper working of the immune system, the renewal of body tissues and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Zinc can be obtained from meat and dairy products as well as wholegrain breads and lentils. Along with a balanced diet that is aimed at fulfilling an elderly person’s nutrition requirements, it is a good idea to incorporate some nutritional supplements in the diet by way of capsules or liquids.

Women are susceptible to hormonal imbalances that can happen due to various reasons like an imbalanced diet or stress or the onset of menopause. Women who are not very particular about their water intake may suffer from edema and poor bowel movement. Proper digestion is important for keeping the right hormonal balance in a woman’s body. All this can be prevented by a balanced diet, which supplies the nutrients that prevent hormonal imbalances and mood swings that accompany it.

Essential fatty acids found in nuts, seeds, fish etc are required to maintain a balance of hormones in the body. The B complex vitamins and Vitamin E are of a great help in maintaining a woman’s health and keeping the hormone levels right. Minerals like calcium are found in abundance in dairy products and meats, they should be taken to keep the bones healthy. Women should refrain from a diet of highly processed foods; refined flour and sugars as these hamper digestion and contribute only empty calories.

Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, sprouts etc should be included in the daily diet as they contain roughage or fiber that aids in bowel movement. Thus, these foods are natural detoxification agents of the body.

A good supplement that provides all the essential nutrients that a woman’s body needs should be made a part of the daily diet.

Back to Home & Health News / Articles : 2

Nutrients Senior Citizens, Women Care Articles, Stanley Home Health News