| Healthy eating, whether as a child or senior citizen is | | | | menopause causes a drop in estrogen levels, |
| a vital part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Your | | | | estrogen helps bones maintain calcium. Menopause is |
| nutritional needs are pretty much the same at 40, 50, | | | | responsible for a greater loss of calcium than in men. |
| 60 and beyond as they were when you were | | | | You should discuss with your physician a dietary |
| younger--with some minor variations. As we grow | | | | supplement to ensure you are properly maintaining |
| older, our bodies becomes less forgiving, and we will | | | | your body. |
| have to make more of an effort to eat well and | | | | 4. Water: |
| stay fit. | | | | Water is essential from birth throughout life. It is |
| Here are 5 Dietary Requirements for Senior Citizens: | | | | critical to health-and is chronically overlooked. Second |
| 1. Exercise: | | | | only to air in its steady and relentless necessity, H2O |
| Studies of the elderly indicate that current weight, | | | | carries nutrients to cells; aids digestion by contributing |
| rather than age, determined energy intake in men | | | | to stomach secretions; flushes bodily wastes and |
| and women. The study suggests that changes in | | | | reduces risk of kidney stones by diluting salts in the |
| lifestyle, not age, resulted in the dietary changes | | | | urine; ensures healthy function of moisture-rich |
| seen in the healthy elderly survey. As you mature, | | | | organs (skin, eyes, mouth, nose); lubricates and |
| your body will loose muscle mass, decreasing your | | | | cushions joints; regulates body temperature; and |
| metabolic rate, which in turn burns fewer calories at a | | | | protects against heat exhaustion through perspiration. |
| slower rate. A great way to maintain control of your | | | | And the list goes on and on. Everybody should |
| maturing body is to exercise regularly and eat healthy | | | | consume the minimum eight glasses of water daily to |
| meals in moderation. | | | | maintain our youthful vigor and pep. |
| 2. Eat More Fiber: | | | | 5. Avoid Foods With Too Much Sugar: |
| Maintaining a regular cycle of all systems in our bodies | | | | Too much sugar causes a number of problems- it |
| is very important. Fiber helps maintain regularity to | | | | suppresses the immune system, weakens eyesight, |
| prevent constipation and gastrointestinal diseases like | | | | contributes to obesity and diabetes, causes |
| divertculosis (pouches that cause spasm or cramping | | | | constipation, leads to all different types of cancers, |
| in the large intestines). You may also want to be | | | | and the list goes on and on about the effects of |
| extremely selective in your diet and not include | | | | sugar intake. Young and old should never binge on |
| gaseous foods. | | | | sugar. |
| 3. Eat More Calcium: | | | | Eating well can make us feel a lot better. It gives us |
| Around 40 years old, our bones start to lose more | | | | more energy - and it can actually help slow down the |
| minerals quicker than it can replace them. For women, | | | | aging process! |