Concerns unique to
seniors
As we age, our bodies change. We don’t have the same ability to repair tissue
damage and build bones as we did in our youth. Appetite and the sense of taste often
diminish, resulting in less than optimum nutrition. Disorders such as osteoporosis, memory
loss, and cataracts, although not inevitable, become more likely. Seniors have special
concerns and special needs.
When things go wrong
Many disorders that we didn’t consider in our youth concern us more as we age.
These include bowel regularity, adequate digestion, malnutrition, arthritis, bone
fragility, heart disease, hypertension, cataracts, macular degeneration, osteoporosis, and
memory loss.
Why things go wrong
As we age, we often eat less. This means we get fewer of the nutrients we need.
Nutritional deficiencies often seen in seniors include deficiencies in the minerals
calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, chromium, iron, copper, and selenium, and in the
vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, and folic acid. Dehydration is also often a problem.
Seniors also have the same bad diet as most of us. Other factors include insufficient
digestive enzymes, lack of fiber, lack of exercise, social isolation, and lack of mental
stimulation.
To maintain seniors’ health
The Healthy Cell Concept™ is very important, especially getting adequate amounts
of cell food and cell water. For bone health, weightlifting and stretching are useful. It
is also extremely important that we have social contact and mental stimulation.
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