Recent trends in Geriatrics and Gerontological Studies - State Level Conference

Nutrition in Elderly Person

Dr. Partha S. Karmakar
MD (Med), DNB (Med)
Dip. Card ASST. PROFESSOR
MEDICINE JPGME & R and SSKM HOSPITAL

People aged 60-64 yrs are called young elderly and above 65 yrs are called geriatric people. Throughout life nutrition is an important determinant of health, physical and cognitive function of life and longevity.

Old age should be regarded as a normal inevitable biological phenomenon and our aim should be healthy ageing, which is not elusive. In fact focused approach towards good nutrition and exercise can help attain ageing.

Role of Nutrition in Life

Many studies have proved that balanced diet with sufficient amount of fresh vegetables and fruits help to strengthen and regenerate various enzymes in body and act as a damage repairer (anti-oxidant role). Though there is no definite evidence that a particular diet can retard the ageing process, there are a number of nutrients (like selenium, Vitamin E / betacarotene, iron, calcium etc.) which have a specific role in delaying ageing process.

Nutrition & Ageing

Geriatric or elderly population is growing all over the world very fast and many of them are not receiving due attention from their family and society as well, and so, incidence of malnutrition is common among them. In addition to this, various other factors also play an important role in determining nutrition level in elderly. These are:

•  Reduced metabolism in ageing and reduced food intake.

•  Sedentary habits (i.e. reduced physical activity)

•  Loss in teeth leading to change in food preferences

•  Loss of taste bud in tongue, so foods become less palatable

Assessment of Nutrition

Nutrition status of a person could be assessed by various ways, clinically as well as by laboratory investigations. However, serial weight measures are by far the easiest and earliest way of detection of malnutrition.

Type of Diet

Vegetarian or Non- vegetarian diet, which is better? This debate continues for many years. Proponents of vegetarian diet are –

•  Easy to digest

•  The human bodily structure favors vegetarian type dietary pattern

Proponents of non- vegetarian diet

•  Vegetables lack or have less amount of certain kind of nutrients (e.g., Iron ) which non- vegetarian diet contains.

•  First class proteins (having all essential amino acids) are available in animal Proteins.

Food Selection

To avoid

• Saturated fat – Red meat (mutton, beef, pork), dairy products (ghee, butter, cheese, cream, full fat milk), poultry and eggs.
• All foods with high content of sugar (carbohydrate) and rich in calorie – breads, rolls, muffins, cakes, chips and soft drinks.

To include

• Plant based diet boosts the immune system (system which protects us from diseases). Include a wide assortment of vegetables – broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, greens, pumpkin, sprouts, onion, garlic, seeds (flaxseed / linseed), sesame oil (til) and fruits (berries, grapes, plums, orange, apple, pineapple, banana and papaya).
• Food rich in vitamins and minerals – almonds, walnuts, seafood and whole grains (wheat,bajra, jowar, ragi)

Practical Guidelines

In a nutshell, the practical guideline for elderly about nutrition and diet are summarized as under:

• Three good meals a day – breakfast, lunch and light dinner.
• If you cannot eat satisfactorily in a regular meal then to take part of the food as snacks.
• To take nutrient rich foods and to eliminate “empty calorie” food
• Protein intake 1 to 1.2gm/kg/day. Fat rich food – sparingly
• Plenty of water and high fiber diet
• Calcium containing foods (calcium 1.2gm/day)
• Wide variety of foods in diet.

Conclusion

Nutritious diet plays an important role in maintaining good physical health and mental function of elderly people. As old age is an inevitable biological phenomenon, healthy ageing should be our goal through focused approach towards good nutrition and regular exercise.

Sir James Starling Ross made a good comment regarding elderly people, “you do not heal old age. You protect it; you extend it”.

Three tips for “elderly of tomorrow”

• Making elderly aware of their food related health hazards and how these could be avoided.
• Adoption of proper dietary regime
• To remain physically active.