Seniors And Vitamins: Necessary Changes
If you are a senior, then you may want to consider taking a vitamin supplement to make sure you are getting your nutritional needs met. We are living in an age where the average life spans are increasing dramatically and so do vitamin requirements. If you are a senior, it is all the more important to make the right food choices. But just because you are getting older, does not always spell more wisdom, especially when it comes to making the right food choices.
The truth, however, is that in their golden years, people can often become as fussy as kids and end up making the poor food choices. Even if this is not so, the process of aging itself puts increased nutritional demands on the body. As a result, the elderly often do not get adequate vitamins their aging bodies need to cope with the changes associated with old age. This is where a vitamin supplement can help.
When people age, their bodily functions become less efficient and so does the capacity to absorb nutrients. More frequent illnesses and being on medications more often further worsens the problem of vitamin deficiency in seniors. A vitamin supplement can assist your body in carrying out all the functions it needs to in a healthy manner.
With families gone the nuclear way, many of our seniors live alone and do not have the desire to prepare proper meals for themselves. They don’t exercise regularly either, so that sort of makes it a double whammy – and then it is a matter of time before they begin exhibiting symptoms related to different vitamin deficiencies. It is a sad story that in our modern, progressive society, a good percentage of seniors are undernourished.
Vitamin D is very important for all seniors because it helps the body to absorb calcium, which is needed to maintain bone health. Insufficient calcium leads to bone mass loss (osteoporosis), making the bones brittle and prone to frequent fractures. Very few seniors get their required amount of calcium daily, which is a disturbing trend.
Another serious threat that comes with aging is from free radicals – Free radicals are unstable molecules that can wreak great damage in the body due to their oxidative properties. They destroy the healthy cells and make them kind of “rusted” like an old, neglected car lying around in the garage for ages.
Seniors require good amounts of antioxidants to neutralize the effects of these villainous free radicals and help the body from getting depreciated. Fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene are some of the best sources of antioxidants. However, many seniors tend to stay away from fruits and vegetables, and hence do not get these important vitamins and antioxidants from natural sources.
When free radicals go into overdrive mode and damage the cells, seniors face the risk of developing degenerative diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, cataract, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. When the healthy cells in the skin degenerate, they make the skin sag and wrinkle. Antioxidants ensure that the body’s immune system keeps humming well and cell health is maintained as far as possible.
Seniors are also more prone to blood clots. They need Vitamin K to keep the body’s anti-blood-clotting mechanism functioning smoothly. The story, however, is much the same here – seniors do not get enough of this vitamin. And you may be surprised to learn that this deficiency is also linked to Alzheimer’s disease!
Vitamin deficiency in seniors can lead to many medical conditions and may complicate their existing conditions. Seniors must understand that nutritious food, adequate vitamins, rest and exercise can take them through their old age without suffering from any debilitating medical conditions.
If you’re a senior and suspect you are not getting the right mix of nutrients and vitamins from your diet, then you need vitamin supplements. The best way to get these supplements is by popping a multivitamin pill daily. For maximum benefit, seniors must choose a multivitamin pill or some other vitamin supplement that has been specially formulated for them.