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6 Vital Nutrition Tips for Your Elderly Parents & More Nutritional Guidelines for Elders

July 29, 2010 By
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As people age, their diets may need to change, especially if their diets are not well-balanced. Generally, doctors will recommend a well-balanced diet for elders, meaning that they should eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein and whole grains to maintain and improve overall health. According to Ruth Frechman, registered dietician and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, in addition to eating a healthful variety of foods, there are specific things a caregiver can incorporate into their parent’s diet to boost his or her health.

Prepare meals rich in these nutrients … READ MORE

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency Damaging to the Elderly

October 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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by Benny Arce

What is Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in some foods such as meat, liver, fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, milk, and cheese. They can also be artificially added to soy products and some breakfast cereals. And of course they can also come as vitamin supplements.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the proper formation of red blood cells, normal working of the brain and nervous system, and correct synthesis and regulation of DNA.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Deficiency in Vitamin B12 is often asymptomatic. If symptoms appear, they are usually non-specific that a patient may remain unaware of the deficiency until serious and perhaps irreversible damage has occurred especially to the brain and nervous system. Seniors are especially at risk because such symptoms are also associated with diseases and syndromes that often afflict them.

Even a slight deficiency in this vitamin can present fatigue, poor memory, or depression. Mania and psychosis can also be a result, as well as other neurologic symptoms such as tingling sensations, weakened limbs, uncoordinated muscular movements, disorientation, loss of a sense of balance, and other psychiatric disorders. These, however, can easily be attributable to other causes such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases.

Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

It has always been thought that since Vitamin B12 is found in plenty of foods except vegetables and fruits, only vegetarians and vegans are at a serious risk of developing a deficiency in this vitamin. However, it appears that there are also other causes –atrophic gastritis and a certain strain of bacteria.

This is especially true for the elderly who, starting at the age of 60, start to develop a condition known as atrophic gastritis. Indeed, data shows that 20% of seniors in their 60s are afflicted with this disease. The percentage doubles when they reach their 80s.

Atrophic Gastritis

Atrophic gastritis is the chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, leading to the replacement of its glandular cells by intestinal fibrous tissues. The result is a decrease or even loss of the production of hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor, both of which are necessary for proper digestion, prevention of megaloblastic anemia, and absorption of Vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 in its natural form is attached to protein. Hydrochloric acid in combination with gastric protease separates the vitamin from the protein and allows it to travel to the tissues. The intrinsic factor, on the other hand, combines with the free forms of Vitamin B12 (those from fortified foods and supplements). This combination is absorbed in the small intestines.

Bacteria

Recent research conducted by the Tufts University’s USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging also points to an overgrowth of a certain strain of bacteria that thrives in a stomach lacking sufficient hydrochloric acid. These bacteria feed on any remaining Vitamin B12 cleaved by whatever hydrochloric acid produced by the impaired stomach. This aggravates the deficiency of the vitamin as well as the adverse conditions that it entails.

Remedies of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

For most patients, particularly the elderly, the only way to remedy this deficiency in Vitamin B12 is to take in more of it. This could be in the form of tablets or in food fortified with the vitamin.

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Nutrition for Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Fresh vegetables are common in a healthy diet.
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by Benny Arce

The care and management of patients afflicted with Alzheimer‘s Disease (AD) is often a difficult task. This becomes more difficult as the disease progresses to its advanced stage. Yet right at the onset of AD until the end, it is necessary to provide patients with proper Alzheimer diet and nutrition to help them live a more comfortable life without any additional problems that come from poor eating habits.

The Ground Rules

Alzheimer  nutrition is not significantly different from that prescribed for the rest of us –a balanced diet high in fiber; low in fat, cholesterol, sugar, and salt; with plenty of fluids.

Food for Alzheimer’s patients should include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and bran cereal as these are excellent sources of fiber. Coupled with eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day, this will help pass the stools and thus prevent constipation. Prunes also help.

Patients suffering from other medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, however, may have to restrict their fluid intake. In such cases, laxatives or mild stool softeners may be used, but only with the doctor’s permission.

Alcoholic beverages may be taken but only in moderation and, again, only with your physician’s consent. If the patient is taking any regular medication, find out from your doctor or nutritionist if any food might interfere with its efficacy.

Moderate exercise should complement proper nutrition. A daily vitamin or mineral supplement is also advisable.

Avoiding Dry Mouth

Aging and certain medications can often leave the mouth feeling dry. This is an uncomfortable feeling and can induce additional stress in AD patients.

To help alleviate this condition, patients should be given plenty of fluids. Unless restricted by their physicians, the norm is eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

Solid foods as toast, bread, cracker, and cookies can be steeped in milk, chocolate, or coffee not only to soften them but also to take in more fluids. Gravy, melted butter, sauce, and broth can also be added to meat, fish, or fowl. If these are not enough, a sip of water after each bite can also be given.

Sour candy and fruit ice both stimulate the production of saliva. Some commercial mouthwash preparations, however, contain alcohol and can dry the mouth. If you feel the patient needs a mouthwash, request your doctor for a prescription.

The Dining Area

Getting AD patients to eat their food can sometimes be a challenge. This is especially true when they can no longer remember how to use eating utensils. You have to teach them how to handle spoons, forks, and knives every meal time.

Providing a sedate environment that is familiar and comfortable in the dining area can sometimes help calm them. Avoid frequently re-arranging the furniture as this is distracting to them. Do not use loud and aggressive colors, sticking instead to pink, peach, beige, ivory, lavender, light green, or light blue. Use flat instead of glossy paints as glare could be disorienting. This applies to the floors as well.

Lighting should avoid stark shadows. These, too, could be disturbing. Ceiling lights that provide ample lighting are best. Soft background music, particularly a patient’s favorites, can also help calm his or her nerves.

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