Age and Nutrition – Nutrients Older Adults Should Have
Adults at the age of 50 and above are more prone to malnutrition because aging most often affects the body’s need for several nutrients. Although the provision of most of these nutrients can easily be introduced through food intake, practical problems arise.
First, an older adult’s nutritional demands are not well determined. Second, as we get older, our bodies may become less efficient at absorbing these essential nutrients. And third, the ability of older adults to taste food diminishes, thus blunting appetite, hunger, and cravings. Also, the declining muscle control on the several parts of the digestive system, like tongue and throat, makes certain kinds of foods become difficult to digest or chew.
These challenges may lead to malnutrition in older adults. To prevent this, there are key nutrients and vitamins to look out for. These are:
- Vitamin B12
- Folate/Folic Acid
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Fiber
- Omega-3 Fats
- Water
To counter these challenges, healthcare professionals suggest that supplementation is one way of assuring that our bodies receive enough amount of these nutrients. Also, dietary changes are proven to significantly affect risk-factor levels throughout a given lifespan and cause an even greater health impact during the golden years.
As your prime provider of Health Products and Medical Supplies in Florida, Your Choice Pharmacy offers high-quality vitamins and supplements that will suffice your nutritional needs.