Nutritional Needs

• • More nutrient dense food
  • Decrease metabolic rate --> Decrease daily calorie needs
  • Less muscle mass & Physical inactivity
• • More fibre
  • Help reduce age-related disease (Heart disease, Cancers, Diabetes)
• • More water; Less sugary drinks
  • Avoid dehydration (Decrease ability of kidneys to concentrate urine & blunted thirst mechanism)
• • More b-carotene rich food (Vit A precursor)
  • Antioxidant
• • More vitamin B12 fortified food
  • Elderly fail to absorb the natural form of Vit B12 from meat, fish, dairy foods (Essential for cognition, vascular health, RBC synthesis)
• • More vit D fortified food
  • Decrease ability of skin to make vit D from sunlight
  • Needed for Ca2+ absorption, bone health
• • More iron rich food
  • Prevent anemia
• • More zinc rich food (in Superoxide dismutase)
  • Suppressed immune system & Appetite
• • More calcium rich food
  • Prevent osteoporosis (weak bones & fractures)