Food is the building block of our bodies. We need proper nutrition through every stage of life to be at the best health possible. No matter what we eat, when we eat it, or how much of it we eat, all foods are broken down in the same way: into one of three major components. These components are protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It is a myth that calories from fat and calories from carbohydrates are different from each other – once the body breaks down foods, they are down to their basic components and will be used as energy immediately, stored for later use or stored as fat.
Infancy to Adulthood
Every living creature goes through different life stages, regardless of whether they are humans, animals, insects, or plants. For humans, the major life stages include infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. For women, there is an increased need for nutrition during pregnancy as well. During all of these stages there are different needs for calories including protein, fats, and carbohydrates. For instance, a baby needs these nutrients for optimal brain development and to continue its growth pattern. A human never grows any faster than during the first year of life.
During all of the life stages of a human, the nutrient needs change, increasing with both growth and increased activity levels. Sometime during what is technically referred to as middle age, the metabolism tends to slow down, making it necessary to adjust the amount of calories that are taken in or face weight gain. It is likely that even with the same activity level, most people in this age group will have to reduce the amount of food that they take in because of the slowed metabolism. This is one of the major life stages that might benefit from using a liquid protein supplement for optimal health without the need to greatly increase the calories that are taken in.
As an older adult, it is important that you continue to get the right nutrition, including the right amount of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates, however, the actual need of calories that are needed will be lower. The metabolism continues to slow as we age and there are other considerations to keep in mind as well.
Needs of the Older Adult
Starting at the age of twenty, the total calories that are needed to maintain weight start to decline every year, for a total of roughly 5-10% for each decade of life. (Source: Ammer 2005) By the time that a woman reaches the age of menopause, she will only need about 2/3 the number of calories that she needed before. It is important that women especially keep their weight under control because it increases the risk of breast cancer. After the age of 50, those who gained up to 22 pounds increase their risk for breast cancer by 32%. That risk increases by 223% for those who gain 66 pounds or more between the ages of 35 and 50. (Source: Perry, 2008)
Despite the reduced calories, a woman will still need to get the right amount of calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins. Liquid protein supplements like Profect, from Protica, can be beneficial not only for supplying the right amount of protein but for supplying 10% of the daily needs for the B complex of vitamins and all of the need for vitamin C.
Good nutrition for the older adult is vital to maintain health and to prevent some of the diseases that have long been thought of as inevitable. It is not true that you are resigned to being wrinkled, hunched over, and wheelchair bound. With the right care and the proper nutrition, it is possible to remain active and energetic until the end of life. Good nutrition is important for every aspect and organ of the body, from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. Eye health is one of the most important, but other organs are influenced as well.
Protein’s Role in Good Health
We know that protein is one of the three vital nutrients that are needed for optimal health, regardless of the life stage. Our body uses protein to build, repair, and maintain our lean muscle mass. Without muscles, we do not move, but that is not all. Beyond just the obvious muscles that we use to lift, push or pull things or even for just walking around, there are other muscles that we need to live. Our heart is a muscle, as is the diaphragm (a necessary component of our respiratory system). Protein does not only play a role in lean muscle mass, it is necessary for other purposes as well.
Protein is a vital component for every cell in the body. Protein is transformed into enzymes which then push biochemical reactions forward. These compounds are propelled across the various membranes and through the blood.
Older Adults and Nutrition
There are a number of reasons that older adults may not get enough calories, let alone enough of the vital nutrients, protein, fat and carbohydrates. These reasons can include:
– Lack of funds for adequate foods.
– The inability to shop for themselves.
– Improperly fitting dentures.
– Loneliness, depression and other factors that can limit appetite.
– Dementia or senility, which may also interfere with appetite and eating skills.
– Physical conditions which may block absorption of a number of nutrients.
One of the first things that older adults stop eating is typically meat, usually one of the biggest sources for protein in many diets. They may stop eating meat for the reasons above. They also may stop eating it because our tastes change as we get older. Foods that were once favorites may no longer be enjoyed by an elderly adult.
Adults with dementia or senility may not eat because they simply do not remember to eat, or they may start a meal and walk away, never going back. They may eat food that is no longer safe for them, putting them at huge risk for illnesses such as food poisoning. It may be hard to keep the adult with dementia healthy, especially since they will no longer sit down and sit still for a full meal. It is possible to give these patients liquid protein supplements to maintain a minimum level of good health.
The liquid protein supplement available from Protica, called Profect, is perfect in this capacity because it is quick to drink, comes in a number of flavors that might appeal even to older adults and can be carried wherever they might be needed, unlike other supplement types which only come in limited flavors. Profect comes in Blue Raspberry, Grapefruit-Mango, Fresh Citrus Berry, and Cool Melon Splash. Other supplements, especially those that are not as high in absorbable protein, are typically 10 ounces or more, 180 calories and come in vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate flavors. Unlike the easy-to-use Profect supplement, other liquid protein supplements, taste best when served very cold and come in cans that cannot be tucked into a pocket or stashed in a purse.
Not all older adults are plagued by health problems. In fact, more and more are continuing to be healthy and active well into their old age. Maintaining proper nutrition is not only important for good health but to make sure that active, older adults can stay that way.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright