It is important to recognize that as people age, there is a decline in the bodys daily energy requirements. This means that the body requires fewer daily calories in order to maintain the same body weight. However, just because the daily caloric requirements decrease, this does not hold true for daily nutritional requirements. Actually, it has been found that the elderly have greater need for certain nutrients due to the digestive system being less efficient and unable to absorb the nutrients as well as it once did. Therefore, it is important for the elderly to maintain a diet rich in vitamins and minerals or, more realistically, to subscribe to some sort of dietary supplement regimen.
There are several deficiencies that are prominent in the elderly and should be of particular concern. These deficiencies can arise out of certain types of foods not being included in a persons diet or because of the inefficiency of the digestive system and its inability to absorb certain nutrients. Discount vitamins and mineral supplements can help prevent such deficiencies and there are also other supplements that, while not required in a persons diet, can help improve quality of life.
Broken hips and osteoporosis are common ailments in elderly persons. These conditions are a direct result of calcium leaving the bones and not being replaced. Obviously, calcium is vital to bone health, especially during the later stages of life. Calcium is abundant in dairy products, but there are now many other foods that are fortified with calcium. Of course, calcium supplements are readily available in pill form as well.
Even if an individual is consuming enough calcium, the body cannot absorb the mineral without the aid of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body to regulate calcium levels and aids in the bodys processing of calcium and its absorption into the bones. While most people can obtain the amount of vitamin D needed with minimal exposure to the sun or through fortified foods such as milk, the elderly are prone to vitamin D proficiencies caused by limited time spent outdoors.
Deficiencies in vitamins B6 and B12 are common in the elderly because of a decrease in the consumption of foods that contain them and, once again, because of the digestive systems inefficiency in absorbing them. These vitamins are essential in maintaining nervous system function, metabolizing energy (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) and in the production of red blood cells. While B6 can be found in both vegetables and meats, B12 is only available from meat and other animal foods and those who follow a vegetarian diet must get this vitamin from a supplement.
Folate is a B vitamin that has recently experienced much press exposure. In women of childbearing age, folate has been linked to the prevention of birth defects. More recently, it has been linked to the prevention of heart disease in older people. Deep green vegetables, leafy greens, and citrus fruits are excellent sources of folate, and many breakfast cereals are now fortified with it. However, supplements are very beneficial to anyone who avoids incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into his or her daily diet.
Many vitamin manufacturers have begun adding additional supplements to their formula. These extras include glucosamine, chondroitin, CoEnzyme Q10, gingko biloba, ginseng, and various others. These are supplements that have been shown to produce a favorable result or prevent and adverse effect, but have no daily value recommended by the USDA.
Glucosamine is a product not available in food, but rather made within the body from various other components. It aids in holding joints together and may play a role in the prevention of collagen breakdown. While glucosamine is produced naturally in the body, production slows as the body ages. It is effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis and in helping a person to maintain flexibility and healthy joints. Chondroitin is similar to glucosamine in that it is produced naturally within the body. Its role is to increase cartilage elasticity. Like glucosamine, chondroitin also helps in the relief of pain caused by osteoarthritis.
CoEnzyme Q10 (also known as CO Q10) is most noted for its role as an antioxidant. While many people spend much time and money fighting the aging process from the outside (anti-aging moisturizers, sunscreen, microdermabrasion and chemical peels, etc.), CO Q10 fights the aging battle from the inside. Free radicals occur naturally within the body as cells break down and new ones are formed. These free radicals are attributed to the internal aging process. CO Q10 has been shown to neutralize the free radicals and to slow the aging process internally. CO Q10 is also known to boost energy and the immune system.
Gingko biloba is a natural tree extract that has been linked to the prevention of many maladies faced by the elderly, including poor circulation and memory loss. It is also effective as an antioxidant. No other botanical supplement has been researched and studied to the extent that gingko biloba has. It is one of the best-selling herbal supplements in Europe and the United States.
There are many discount vitamins and supplements to serve the needs of the elderly. Each one is offered individually, but many multi-vitamin manufacturers offer all of the essentials in one package, often referred to as silver or 50+. These multi-vitamin versions offer greater amounts of the nutrients that are essential the health of older individuals and many include some or all of those little extras. While taking a multi-vitamin can help ensure that nutritional needs are being met, it is important to note that that there is no substitute for eating healthily. Additionally, it is paramount to follow the dosage instructions listed by the manufacturer; exceeding the recommended dosage can serious health problems and is extremely dangerous for the elderly.
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Weil Nutritional Complete Daily Pack Vitamin Supplement, 30-Count Box