As you age, your nutritional needs change. Your body requires different nutrients to maintain optimal health, prevent chronic disease, and manage age-related conditions. FirstLantic Healthcare discusses seven of the most important nutrients to help you feel your best.

 

  1. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth. Your bones can become more brittle and fragile as you age, making you more susceptible to fractures and breaks. Calcium can help reduce this risk, as it helps to maintain bone density. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified foods like tofu and orange juice.
  2. Vitamin D is another essential nutrient for bone health. It helps the body absorb calcium, critical for maintaining strong bones. Vitamin D can also help reduce the risk of falls, a significant concern for older adults. The best source of vitamin D is sunlight, but you can also get it from fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk, and cereal.
  3. Fiber is crucial for digestive health and can help lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. Your digestive system can become less efficient as you age, so getting enough fiber is essential. Eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds to get enough fiber.
  4. Protein helps maintain muscle mass, which can decline as you age. Muscle mass is critical for overall mobility and independence and can help prevent falls. Protein sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and tofu.
  5. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for heart and brain health and to reduce inflammation. They can also help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. Foods like fatty fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts contain the Omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs.
  6. B vitamins help with energy production, brain function, and maintaining healthy skin and hair. As you age, your body may become less efficient at absorbing nutrients, so getting enough B vitamins is vital by eating whole grains, leafy greens, eggs, and meat. If you don’t eat meat, you can also get vitamin B by consuming almond or oat milk fortified with vitamin B12 and other B vitamins and legumes.
  7. Potassium is fundamental for maintaining healthy blood pressure, which can become more difficult as you age. It can also help prevent muscle cramps and maintain proper fluid balance. Bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and spinach are excellent sources of potassium.

Eating the right foods can help ensure you get the nutrients you need to continue doing the things you enjoy. Whether your happiness comes from playing golf, gardening, or spending time with family and friends, your body (and your loved ones) will thank you for the extra attention.

If you or someone you know is interested in home healthcare services in South Florida, FirstLantic can help. We are locally owned and operated, providing our patients with the highest quality in-home care and placement services in Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) and Delray Beach (Palm Beach County) since 2000. Click here to contact us.

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