Question

Describe several significant roles good nutrition plays in aging. What roles can nutrition play in retarding the aging process? Identify two age-related health issues and explain how nutrition may help prevent or contribute to them. Be sure that your responses are based upon scientific evidence. Describe three physiological changes that occur with aging and explain how these changes affect nutrition status. Describe which vitamins and minerals need special consideration for the elderly. Explain why. Name several factors that complicate the task of setting exact nutrient standards for older adults. List and describe the mechanisms of several nutrient-drug interactions and how, as a health care professional, you would deal with this issue.

Answer 1

1)Describe certain significant role good nutrition plays in elderly

Healthy aging is the goal of any elderly along with hormonal changes elderly body goes through lot of physiological changes which makes them prone to low nutritional status .The most important nutrients a elderly client needs are calcium and vitamin D .both are essential to have string bones as they grow old there exposure to sun is decreased which is a source of vitamin D their bones becomes week so to prevent osteoporosis and Britten bones calcium and vitamin D helps.otger nutrients are vitamins of B complex like vitamin B 12,B 6,folic acid which helps to maintain a good neurological health like improving memory preventing Parkinson's, Alzheimer's,dementia.nutrients like beta carotene ,anti oxidants helps them to reduce the risk for cancers,CVA,heart disease so a healthy nutrition consisting of fruits,vegetables,good fat,fiber will help maintain a healthy aging population.

2)what roles nutrition can plan in retarding the aging process.

Consumption of less. Not calories in the elderly have found to show significant help in retarding aging process.Cinsumption of good amount of water will help maintain a good and healthy skin, consumption of calcium and vitamin D will help in maintaining strong bones and muscles.cinsumptiin of vitamin of b complex,vitamin C ,vitamin A will help maintain good eye sight and help in maintaining a good neurological stimulus . consumption of healthy fats like nuts,fish oil will prevent IHD,cancers.

3) Identify two age related issue and how nutrition is affected by it .

As people grow older they have sensitivity issue like there sensory organs like sight,taste,smell decreases which in turn leads to absence any food appetizer.food no more pleases them thus reduces the stimulus to eat food .this lead to skipping of meal ,lack of nutrition.

Medication side effects: elderly patients will be on certain medication which can reduce there appetite,vomiting,nausea,bloating leading to fewer Consumption of food and nutrients

Compromised dental health :another problem which is faced by elderly are missing teeth,broken teeth which makes them chewing difficult this leading to consumption of only soft diet and avoiding fruits which lead to lack of nutrition.

4)Three physiological changes that affect nutrition

Impaired sensory preception like lack of taste,smell, leads to loss of appetite and cause less consumption of food

Memory loss: elderly population have poor memory which can lead them to skip meals and consume fewer nutrients.

Slow metabolism: Elderly clients have slow metabolism which slows down their digestion process leading to indigestion,bloating which makes them sick and lead tod ecreased intake of nutrients

Physical inability to perform activities of daily living:some elderly client have difficulty in sitting,walking standing which makes them difficult to consume food

5)Describe which vitamin and mineral is essential for elderly.

Importance should be given in consumption of vitamin D ,calcium for bones.Viatamin b12,by,folic acid for memory to prevent Parkinson's, Alzheimer's,dementia.beta carotene,vitamin a,vitaminc,antioxidants to prevent CVA,cancer, inflammation,Good fat by consuming nuts,avacados,fish oil to prevent heart disease,good fiber to prevent constipation.elderly clients also need certain Trace elements like zinc,chromium.easential electrolyte like potassium is necessary to maintain a good cardiac function

In short a fewer calories full of nutrients like fiber,vitamins,proteins in essential for elderly population.