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jeudi 11 avril 2013

Why Is Nutrition Important?

By Juliette Crane


As our bodies age, our metabolism tends to slow as our activity levels reduce and it is not uncommon to get a bit of a tummy. Stomach acid and saliva production are reduced making it more difficult for the body to process food. As a result, we are less able to obtain the nutrition from the foods we eat. In particular, we can easily become deficient in vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. As well, many enzymes and coenzymes that are essential building blocks of the body or digestive aids, are produced in far fewer numbers or in some cases are not produced at all. This can all sound a bit too scary, but don't worry. There are some simple steps you can follow to keep you healthy and your body functioning at optimal level.

You know that it is essential to eat a healthy and balanced breakfast but it is easy to forget to look after yourself the way you have looked after others. A light healthy breakfast including fresh fruit, whole grain cereal such as oatmeal, toast and juice (or a cup of tea or coffee) can give you a healthy and enjoyable start to the day.

Fruit should be your first choice for a mid morning snack. Full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants as well as high in vitamins, fruit is a great immune system booster. Smaller meals eaten more frequently, whether fruit or otherwise, make digestion easier and speed up metabolism making it less likely that you will gain weight as you age. Frequent, small meals also help to control blood sugar levels and prevent hunger.

A good, healthy lunch can include salads, healthy wraps, or soups. However, it might be a good idea to avoid creamy soups since milk products can cause flatulence as we age. The reason for this is likely to be because of a reduction in the production of lactase as we age so we are less able to digest milk sugar. Undigested lactose can cause diarrhea as well as flatulence. When cheese is aged more than sixty days, it contains very little lactose, so you may be able to tolerate it and obtain needed calcium if you otherwise cannot consume dairy products.

Our ability to process different foods in general can change over time. If you begin to experience symptoms which you interpret as a food allergy, you may be experiencing a digestive problem. For example, many people become gluten intolerant as they age. Gluten is found in many grains including wheat. If you bloat or have stomach cramps or nausea after eating anything containing grains, it would be helpful to get tested for gluten intolerance.

Supplement your diet with additional vitamins and minerals. Several companies produce vitamins created specifically for seniors. Try capsule forms for easier absorption. There are abundant amounts of coenzymes and enzymes that are available for purchase. One particularly interesting coenzyme is CoQ10. The Co stands for coenzyme. This is normally produced by the body but the production diminishes as you age. Many studies found this beneficial to those on cholesterol lowering drugs and people with beginning Alzheimer's or heart damage. Even though there has been no harmful side effects reported, it is always best to consult your doctor, particularly if taking other medications.

As you get older, try to keep your intake of processed sugar to a minimum. This means sugar in tea or coffee, cakes, cookies, and sweets. Satisfy your craving for sweets with fruit and you will be rewarded with good health and improved fitness. If you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you will have more energy and feel a great deal better. Exercise can be as simple as going for a walk or having a swim.

More than anything, it is important to be positive, happy and enjoy life. Maintain an active life and stay interested in people and life in general. By simply changing your approach to eating, you can develop a new outlook to life. You can learn new healthier recipes, create interesting healthy menus and begin to enjoy food in a different way. Your generation changed the way youth was viewed and experienced. Are you ready to change the future of aging?




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