old age nutrition

1. NUTRITION DURING OLD AGE

2. Presented by
Mamta Sahurkar
Laxminarayan institute
of technology, Nagpur
Guided by
Asst prof. Shital
Deshmukh

3. • Old age is best defined as the
age of retirement that is 60
years and above.
• Ageing is not a disease but it
is a biological process.
• The process of ageing brings
about
physiological,psychological and
immunological changes which
influences the nutritional status.
• Decreased physical activity and
dental problems could lead to
overall decrease in food intake

4. Changes in organ
functions during
old age

5. Taste and smell
Salivary glands
Teeth
Gastric function
Small intestine
Liver and bile
Metabolism
Neurological
Immunity
Skeletal
Opthalmic
Cardiovascular

6. Nutritional
requirements
during old age

7. • Energy
• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Lipids
• Minerals
• Vitamins
• Water
• Fibres

8. Energy
• Energy requirement reduces
• Basal metabolic rate
decreases(15-20 percent)
• Reduced physical activity
• Increase in fat tissue
SEDENTARY MODERATE
MALE 1883 2216
FEMALE 1706 2007

9. Carbohydrates
• Requirement reduces
• Impaired glucose tolerance in the elderly can
lead to hypoglycaemia,hyperglycaemia and
type II diabetes
• Insulin sensitivity can be enhanced by
balanced energy intake, weight management
and regular physical activity.

11. Lipids
• Dementia and CVD may increase risk factors
including high intakes of dietary total fats.
• Emphasis should be placed on reducing the intake
of saturated fat and choosing monounsaturated or
polyunsaturated fat sources.
• Sufficient intake of omega 3 fatty acids may help
in conditions like hair loss,impairement of vision,
improper digestion and gas, painful joints, mental
depression etc.

12. Calcium (800 mg/day)
To compensate age related bone
loss,to improve calcium balance
to decrease the prevalence of
fractures.
Ca absorption efficiency
decreases,Vitamin D absorption
decreases so more Ca
needed.
Iron (30 mg/day)
Deficiency is seen in elderly due
inadequate iron intake,blood loss
to chronic diseases or reduced
haem absorption.
Vitamin C deficiency may impair
absorption.
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13. Zinc
• Some features like delayed
healing,decreased taste
and anorexia are findings
with zinc deficiency
• zinc deficiency.
• However healthy elderly people
not show zinc deficiency
Sodium
• There is no evidence that
sodium restriction will delay or
prevent the onset of
disease
• Infact moderate amount of salt
to improve palatability and taste
food
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14. Vitami
ns• Elderly people are at risk for vitamin D
deficiency due to decrease exposure to
sunlight or decrease in renal mass.
• Dietary supplementation with calcium
and vitamin D improves bone density
and may prevent fractures in a healthy
elderly population.
• People with Parkinsons disease have
low vitamin D levels.

15. • Vitamin C may be protective against cataract at
an intake level of between 150 and 250 mg per
day.Stress,smoking and medication may
increaseVitamin C requirement.
• Vitamin E has found to be a potent nutrient for
reducing the decline in cellular immunity that
occur in the elderly.Changes in immune system
can be overcome by taking 200 mg ofVitamin E.
• Requirement of vitamin B6 are increased in
elderly. Liver dysfunction is a risk factor for
deficiency of vitamin B6.
• The deficiency ofVitamin B12 can lead to

16. Water
• Water is essential for
old people as is it for
the young.
• Kidney can function
more adequately when
there is sufficient fluid.
• Water stimulates
peristalsis and thus
aids in combating
constipation.
• Dehydration can result
in mental confusion,
headache and mental
instability.

17. • Fibre stimulates peristalsis.
There is great enthusiasm to
increase fibre consumption
but the increase should be
gradual.
• Fibre aids in combating
constipation.
• It also helps in reducing
cholesterol which may reduce
the chances of
atherosclerosis.
Dietary fibres

19. • systemic skeletal disease characterized
by low bone mass and microarchitectural
deterioration of bone tissue, leading to
enhanced bone fragility and a consequent
increase in fracture risk
Osteoporosis
Neurological Dysfunction
• Problems of disorientation and slowing
of neurological function is commonly
seen in old age people.A lack of
thiamine, niacin is associated with the
central nervous system problems.
Deficiency of Folic acid can contribute
to Alzheimer's disease

20. Anaemia
• Anaemia in old age is independent
risk factor for decline in physical
performance.Iron inadequacy can
be caused by low dietary
intake,lack of haem iron or vitamin
C or blood loss
Obesity
• Some of the elderly people are obese
because their consumption of calories
has not decreased.Decreasing basal
metabolic rate and sedentary lifestyle
may be the contributory
factor.Maintaining weight promotes
healthier aging.

21. Constipation
• It is the infrequent passage of
stools which are most attributed
to prolonged rectosigmoid
transit.Constipation can be
prevented by eating regular
meals,drinking plenty of fluids
and exercise daily.
Immunity
• The responsiveness of the human has
been shown to decrease with age.A
deficiency of number of nutrients like
Vitamin A,Vitamin C and zinc,iron
,copper and selenium.Lower intake of
selenium and omega 3 fatty acids
may influence overall immune
function

22. Thank you