It is often assumed that as one grows older one naturally grows wiser and is therefore more aware of the importance of eating a nutritionally well balanced meal.
However, in reality most seniors do not make the right food choices and are unable to get the required amounts of vitamins and minerals their bodies need in order to delay the onset of various debilitating conditions that include the signs of aging.
As one grows older , the body’s capacity to effectively use nutrients slows down. To add to it most elderly people suffer from numerous illnesses due to which they need to take constant medication that adversely affect the way the body breaks down the nutrients from food.
Even in today’s highly developed and advanced society there are surprisingly many seniors who continue to remain undernourished. This is because most seniors living alone don’t feel the need to prepare nutritious meals for themselves and also don’t bother to exercise daily. These are the very reasons why they are so susceptible to various vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
The most common deficiency among seniors is that of Vitamin D. This vitamin is essential not only for children but also for adults because it helps the body in absorbing calcium that keep the bones and teeth healthy. Insufficient amounts of vitamin D lead to bones becoming brittle, soft and eventually causes Osteoporosis.
Another condition most seniors are prone to suffering from is that of oxidation damage caused by free radicals. These are unstable particles that, when left on their own, run throughout the body and destroy the healthy cells. The process of oxidation is the same that causes rust to form on cars.
The process of Oxidation can be prevented by consuming adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. This is because they are the best sources of antioxidants that help in neutralizing the disruptive free radicals and inhibit the damage they cause in the body. They also contain beta-carotene’s and a number of important vitamins including Vitamin A, C and E. It is indeed surprising that very few seniors consume the required amounts of fruits and vegetables.
As healthy cells become damaged, seniors increase their chances of developing heart diseases,arthritis, certain kinds of cancers, cataracts, Parkinson’s disease amongst others. Antioxidants help to keep the immune system functioning properly. As the healthy skin cells break down , skin loses its elasticity, begins to sag,wrinkle and look older.
Alzheimer’s disease is also quite commonly found among seniors. This disease has been found to be linked to the deficiency of Vitamin K in the body. Consuming adequate quantities of this vitamin is important because it helps the body’s blood clotting mechanism function properly.
The list of ailments caused due to vitamin deficiencies is endless. Therefore, it is important that everyone regardless of their age realize the importance of providing their bodies with all the right nutrients in order to keep fit and stay healthy.