Important Nutrients for Seniors

It has been said, “You are what you eat”. A proper and balanced nutritious meal is necessary to remain healthy and active regardless of your actual age. Proper nutrients give you energy and boost your immunity level helping your body to put up a tough fight against any diseases. Our senior loved ones need to have a balanced meal containing all the vital nutrients to remain healthy and active. You can also hire a professional caregiver from a senior care service in Kolkata who can assist your loved ones with nutritious meal preparations if you live abroad or in a different city.

Let us have a close look at some of the vital nutrients that our beloved seniors need to build strong immunity against dreadful diseases like Diabetes, Chronic Heart diseases, and some specific cancers.

•  Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is critical for creating red blood cells and for maintaining healthy nerve function, one of the key requirements for healthy aging. But, getting sufficient B12 is a daunting task for our beloved seniors as they are unable to absorb this vital vitamin from food as younger people do. So, ensure they eat foods rich in Vitamin B12 like fish, eggs, lean meat like chicken, dairy products. Also, have a doctor's suggestion if your loved ones require a B12 supplement.

•  Folic Acid
Our senior loved ones often suffer from Anemia, which is due to deficiency of this folic acid or folate.  Include cereals, lots of fresh fruits, and vegetables like spinach in the diet of your seniors so that they can get enough folic acid to reduce the risk of anemia. According to nutrition expert, Miss Doyel Ganguly, It is necessary to consult a doctor before starting any folic acid or folate supplement for seniors.

•  Calcium 
Calcium is one of the vital nutrients necessary for maintaining strong bones and muscle health. Unfortunately, according to surveys, seniors consume less calcium which makes their bones brittle and weak, and more prone to fractures. Ensure your beloved seniors consume calcium-rich foods, low-fat milk, other dairy products like yogurt, cottage cheese, etc, and vegetables like broccoli to reduce the risk of fractures and brittle bones. According to doctors, “The ideal source of calcium is dairy products, not supplements”. If your loved ones are allergic to dairy products, talk to their doctor about calcium supplements.

•  Fiber
Fiber is a vital nutrient that promotes healthy digestion. Indigestion is a common problem during old age. Your beloved seniors must consume enough fiber to reduce the risk of indigestion and proper bowel movements.  Make your beloved seniors consume more whole grains, nuts, beans, and fresh vegetables to get the sufficient amount of fibers required by our elderly loved ones to remain healthy and fit.

•  Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body maintain bone density by absorbing calcium, preventing osteoporosis in senior people. According to recent research, Vitamin D may protect against some chronic diseases including Cancer, Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D deficiency has also been linked with an increased risk of falling in older people. Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D. Other than sunlight, vitamin D is also found in foods like salmon, tuna, eggs, cereals, milk, etc.

These are some of the vital nutrients that are required by your beloved seniors to lead a healthy, long and active life.