With age, physiological changes occur (a decrease in the feeling of hunger and thirst, a decrease in sensory abilities) as well as changes with psychological repercussions (loneliness, fragility, a new living environment). All of these factors modify eating behavior. For seniors, too, the key to health lies in eating a balanced diet.
Age-related dietary changes
The number of elderly people is increasing rapidly today, especially among women. There are three women to one man of those over the age of eighty-five. Many of these people are very active, both physically and mentally. Others have difficulties, particularly some metabolic and nutritional disorders such as calcium removal from the bones and malnutrition, Anemia Inadequate micronutrient intake or dehydration.
In addition, weight loss is often observed in people over 75 years of age, especially in men.
Lack of appetite after 75 years
Food consumption often decreases gradually with age. The main reason for this is decreased appetite. In fact, the mechanisms of hunger and glut become less efficient. In very old sense glut Especially long lasting, which can lead to malnutrition Insidious in the absence of hunger. This phenomenon leads to irregular eating. It can also make it difficult to automatically return to a balanced diet in people whose eating habits have changed, such as after hospitalization.
Changes in thirst after 75 years
Thirst is a safety system that is triggered when it is turned on drying Already installed. With age, this system lags behind. Thirst occurs at a level drying It is more important than the younger one. More attention should be paid to the prevention of drying.
By the age of twenty, the human body is made up of 60-65% water, most of which is found in muscles. This value decreases over the years to represent only 55 to 60% of water. Muscle loss is one of the main reasons for this phenomenon. As a result, the amount of water available in the body makes up for a drying Temporary decrease and increase the risk drying dangerous.
At about age 20, the kidneys filter about 140 ml of blood per minute. By the time they reach the age of 70, they can only process 80ml of blood per minute and have a much more difficult time dealing with the overload. salts Metals and the toxins they cause drying. This change in function puts you at greater risk of a blood mineral imbalance. It also explains some of the changes observed in drug disposal (see box).
| heed alcohol and drugs |
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| From a certain age, the liver works less and alcohol Ingested it stays longer in the blood. In addition, in the elderly, the filtering ability of the kidneys is reduced and the elimination of drugs is no longer effective. The dose Some of them must be reduced in order to avoid them overdose. |
To prevent risk drying It is necessary to drink it regularly during the day. Water requirements remain the same as for other age groups: at least one and a half liters per day, that is. At least eight glasses of water.
Change in taste after 75 years
After 75 years, our sense of taste becomes dull: the number of our taste buds decreases and those remaining are depleted in the taste buds. At this age, we have a third of what we had when we were younger. We perceive the basic sensations less (sweet, salty, sour, bitter) and have more difficulty distinguishing them, especially salty. We tend to add more salt in food, with the risk of high blood pressure, eat more sweet foods, and the sweet taste is better preserved.
Decreased sense of smell after 75 years
Aroma plays a major role in stimulating the appetite, because smell plays a major role in the perception of taste itself. Men begin to lose their olfactory abilities from the age of twenty. Women, who generally perceive scents better, keep their noses fluffy for a longer time; In them, a decrease in smell occurs only after that menopause. This decrease in the perception of smells is gradual but steady. With age, it can have a negative effect on appetite.
Vision changes after age 75
Seeing your food well, especially its colors, contributes to the desire to eat. The red color in particular is known to increase the attractiveness of food. a A change So eyesight may play a role in reducing appetite. Adequate correction and improved lighting can help restore the pleasure of eating.
Dental changes after 75 years
Pain when chewing or difficulty chewing some products can reduce the variety in the diet. Maintaining and caring for your teeth properly is essential to maintaining a balanced diet.
People who wear dentures sometimes have poor adaptation of their dentures to the anatomy of their jaws. The shape of the face changes and prosthetics that adapt perfectly at age 65 may not be at 80. Regular follow-up by your dentist helps to detect and resolve these types of problems.
Movement disorders after 75 years
Shaking, inaccurate gestures, or decreased muscle tone makes it difficult to prepare food, peel vegetables, and chop meat. Sometimes you have to change your habits to maintain a good nutritional balance. In addition, some people may have difficulty opening and using modern packaging forms, such as bricks or vacuum packaging.
Digestive system less efficient after 75 years
The digestive system does not change significantly with age. However, a combination of small changes can alter the ability to digest food. The lack of saliva secretion, which is associated with potential dental problems, interferes with chewing food and preparing it for digestion. In the stomach, acid secretions become less significant. Finally, the muscle fibers of the stomach and intestines lose their tone. It takes longer for a meal to digest and the risk of constipation increases. The absorption of nutrients from the intestine also becomes less efficient. The vitamins and the salts Minerals, especially calcium, are well absorbed and supplemental supply may become necessary.
Metabolic changes after 75 years
Cells use certain nutrients such as vitamins Glucose decreases with age. In addition, hormonal problems can have a significant impact on health. Some people, for example, develop resistance, i.e. a lower sensitivity toInsulin, The hormone who regulates rate Sugar in the blood. Then the cells absorb less Sugar This builds up in the blood. Several years later, this resistance to me Insulin It leads to type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, this form of diabetic It is associated with serious complications, especially in the blood vessels.