Geriatric nutrition uses dietary approaches to delay aging and combat degenerative diseases. It involves healthy foods, supplements, and exercise plans to provide the right nutrients to fight aging and strengthen mobility. Protein, healthy fats, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are essential. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber and antioxidants. Holistic approaches may include herbs and herbal medicines.
Geriatric nutrition uses dietary approaches to help delay the effects of aging, as well as help combat degenerative diseases associated with the aging process. Often this involves using healthy foods, supplements and eating plans that will provide the right nutrients to help fight the aging process and strengthen mobility. With holistic or natural geriatric nutrition programs, herbs and healthy exercise are included in the plan to protect and strengthen the body. Most nutritional needs are adequately obtained in a whole food eating approach, which helps provide the body with raw, natural materials for proper building and strengthening of muscles and bones.
An aging body will generally require an adequate amount of protein to help fuel muscle growth, as fat normally begins to replace muscle when the body reaches a certain age. With geriatric nutrition programs, protein is often obtained through healthy, complete protein sources, such as eggs, dairy, and lean meats. Other sources of protein include nuts, seeds, and some grains, as well as vegetables and various fruits. Healthy and appropriate exercise combinations are also used to help build muscle strength, especially in whole-body and holistic approaches to slow the aging process.
Cardiovascular changes also occur as the body matures, so most geriatric nutritionists advise patients to look for healthy sources of fat in their diet. These fats include monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in olive oil and fatty fish, as these have been shown to be the most beneficial for the heart. Most geriatric nutritionists and dietitians also recommend getting enough vitamin D, either through diet, sunshine, or supplementation, as some research has shown it protects against stroke and heart disease. Good sources of calcium and magnesium, which are necessary to help strengthen bones and fight osteoporosis, are also needed in abundance within a geriatric nutrition plan.
Many dietitians will coordinate an eating plan that incorporates lots of vegetables and fruits, as it provides ample amounts of dietary fiber. The digestive system can become suppressed as the body ages, so fiber is needed to help reduce constipation symptoms and aid the absorption of essential nutrients. Fruits and vegetables are also a good source of antioxidants, which are known to help fight the aging process and prevent degenerative diseases like cancer and heart disease. Holistic approaches to geriatric nutrition may also include herbs and herbal medicines, which also provide antioxidants; Caution should be taken to ensure that the herbs do not interfere with any medication.
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