Elderly Nutrition

Elderly Nutrition: 8 Nutrients That Older Adults Shouldn't Miss Out On

Being healthy is our common goal. From the time babies are conceived, mothers are prescribed with vitamin supplements and a list of food that bears the appropriate amount of nutrients that will keep both the mother and baby to become healthy and strong. The same is done as soon as the child is born. Both mother and child are given the proper sustenance to ensure that they receive their nutritional needs daily.
As we grow up, having the ability to choose from a wide range of food, we tend to just grab on food that is easier to eat. Just like an employee who happens to be rushing with so much work every day trying to meet deadlines, instead of having a proper diet, he would

However, if they are properly educated, they would be aware that there are inexpensive foods that can provide them with the right sustenance that they need daily. It is through discipline along with the help of the people around them will our elders have a better health.

Important Nutrients for the Elderly
Getting on a strict healthy diet may be a bit of a challenge to elders who may not have been too conscious of the kind of food that they eat. But knowing the right kind of food, they will realize that the nutrients that they need are not something new to them. These can all be easily purchased from supermarkets. The difference lies on how these foods are cooked and the quantity that they need to consume.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Not all fats are created equal. While you may think that this kind of nutrient is bad for your health, think again. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are the type of fat that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. These do not only help your body to function efficiently. It also provides other health benefits. The EPA and DHA are primarily found in fish while ALA is found in plant sources such as seeds and

It is also required for metabolism and for the normal functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves. The normal level of potassium should be between 3.5 to 5.0 milliequivalents per liter of blood. Any changes in the concentration can be lethal and there are several factors that can cause potassium deficiency. Therefore, an adequate amount of potassium in the diet is necessary to maintain optimum health.

Potassium works with other minerals such as magnesium, chloride, sodium, and calcium to help in the regulation of intra-and extracellular movement of nutrients and waste, pH Balance, brain function, energy level and heart rhythm.
The potassium level in the body of an elderly undergoes normal physiological changes. The body’s urine output increases that can affect the control in the reabsorption and excretion of nutrients as the kidneys decline. The excess in excretion of potassium in urine may result to a condition called hypokalemia. There are also certain medications that can alter the body’s potassium level such as laxatives, diuretics, bronchodilators, insulin, steroids, theophyllines, and antibiotics.
Sources of Potassium are:
• Meat
• Poultry
•