1) Food plays a major role in triggering many diseases and health conditions in every individual regardless of age. In order to reach a long healthy life, one must realize that eating habits now and in the past will greatly impact long-term health status in the future; therefore it is essential to accommodate healthy eating patterns into the day to day life. One of the primary preventions for widespread conditions like hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cancer is having a balanced “age-defying” diet. In today’s “microwave” fast-paced society, a well balanced diet might pose a challenge as it is considered to be time-consuming, expensive, and impractical. However, prioritizing the health benefits we seek to obtain from our diet while maintaining equilibrium between health and a demanding live will facilitate the development of a wholesome and enjoyable nutritional regimen.
The free radical theory predicts that decreasing the amount of free radical damage and oxidative stress in the body has positive effects on immune function, cognition, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Free radicals are reactive oxygen and nitrogen compounds that attack proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids altering cell and tissue function in the body. Studies have established antioxidants, phytochemicals and vitamins help the metabolism fight, reduce and prevent free radical damage delaying the rate of aging and prolonging life (1). Functional foods known to provide these benefits include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, phytochemicals, polyphenols, and Omega 3 fatty acids. Some food products that deliver good sources of antioxidant vitamins and minerals are green leafy vegetables, green tea, red wine, soybeans, olive oil, citr...
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Bales CV. Ritchie CS.Sarcopenia, Weight Loss, and Nutritional Frialty in the Elderly. Annual Review of Nutrition (ANNU REV NUTR), 2002; 22: 309-23 (88 ref). CINAHL full text. Web. 15 feb 2011
Miurah H, Kariyasum M.Yamasaki K. Arai Y. Evaluation of chewing and swallowing disorders among frail community-dwelling elderly individuals. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2007 34; 422–427. CINAHL full text. Web. 14 feb 2011.
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The population in the United States as of 2009 was 307,006,550 the younger population is projected to slightly increase and eventually plateau though the older population has been steadily increasing and projected to continue on an upward trend (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010). The lack of a healthier diet is something that has been highlighted in the media for the past decade and more often than not we are seeing the effects of overindulging and the consumption of highl...
The 'normal' American diet usually contains a lot of high-sugar, high-fat foods that have been associated with the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Just how these processes come about can be explained in the molecular and cellular level by the formation of AGEs.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Caregivers." Senior Health: How to Prevent and Detect Malnutrition. N.p., 23 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
For some time, scholars and writers have continuously debated as to what constitutes or defines the idea of healthy eating, mainly because of the increase in the number of people diagnosed with ailments associated with bad eating habits. It has quickly become the forefront of issue, particularly in the United States. In recognition of this on-going debate, this composition seeks to compare and contrast two well-known authors concerning how we think about and consume food. In Michael Pollan’s discussion, “Escape from the Western Diet,” he discusses the negative sides of nutrition science, including conflicting theories surrounding the elements of healthy food consumption and why solutions are essential for the Western diet and lifestyle. “Escape from the Western Diet,’’ is among the articles that talks about the eating habits of individuals in the society. In the article, Pollan points out not only the numerous conflicts concerning what types of diets – including carbohydrate-based, the inclusion of omega-3s, other nutrition-specific needs - that are believed to directly affect general health or specific illnesses, but also how western nutritionism compares to other countries diets affect longevity outcomes. In the end, Pollan suggests that the United States must seek solutions that move towards more natural, unprocessed, plant-based lifestyles that ensure that individuals are making what they consume a primary
For years, I have been eating what I want. Food choices are a significant factor that affects our health. What we like or crave, often, is the determining variable in what we eat. Finding the right balance of food choices is the key factor in improving our health benefits. Choosing nutrient-dense foods will provide more nutritional value than foods that are found to be low in nutrient density. Making the right choices in foods, however, is extremely difficult. Often, I find myself enthralled in the latest fad, not considering the subtext of the foods I am eating, such as nutrients, vitamins, healthy fats and unhealthy fats, cholesterol and minerals. The diet project underlined a three-day food entry intake that provided a dietary analysis report
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Another study proposed that CR slowed aging process by increasing resistance to hyperoxidation. As aging progressed in yeast and other animals, the presence of free radicals increased in the cells. Usually, the levels of the...
Valeria, Z., Renato, G., Luisa, C., Bruno, V., Mauro, Z., & Matteo, C. (2014). Interventions Against Sarcopenia In Older Persons. Curr Pharm Des.
I recalled this article was fairly serious for my proposed work because it discusses obesity and chronic disease such as type II diabetes mellitus. This is a peer-review journal. the medical doctors as credible sources, but they could have used other research to compare with GE CentricityElectronic Medical Records. This study evaluates ethnic groups, males and females, and different age groups. This permits for relating to the length of th...
Refer to Table 17-2 “Nutrient Concerns of Aging” and Table 17-4 “Strategies for Growing Old Healthfully” and describe components that are lacking in Roy’s current lifestyle.
A functional decline can be quite hard not only for the patient but for the family to understand. For those experiencing functional decline, whether it may be them self or a loved one, it is important to know of resources to turn to such as Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) and Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP).
A number of factors influence the nutritional status of the elderly. First, several physiological changes impact elderly nutritional requirements. Changes in taste and smell may decrease an individual's appetite or desire for food. Gastro-intestinal motility decreases with age and may lead to constipation, decreased nutrient absorption, and a decrease in fat and protein absorption. Metabolism also slows with age; this results in a decrease of lean body mass and an increase in body fat (8). Lastly, bone mass decreases, leaving the elderly vulnerable to bone fractures from falls and osteoporosis.
The diet that I am currently on is not as nutritious as it should be. By looking at the Dietary Recommended Intakes for my age and comparing it to my current dietary habits, I hav...
2. Willett WC, Dietz WH, Colditz GA. Primary Care: Guidelines for healthy weight. New England Journal of Medicine. 1999;341:427-434.
Murray, F. (1994). Weight Management: The Key to Disease Prevention. Better Nutrition for Today's Living, 56(7), 44.