ELDERLY & NUTRITION.   Term Paper ID:22676 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Dietary needs, deficiencies & disease, fiber, protein, vitamins, melatonin, Radicals Tea.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Dietary needs, deficiencies & disease, fiber, protein, vitamins, melatonin, Radicals Tea. Paper Introduction: As the population of elderly people rises, and the costs associated with medical care rise, the role nutrition plays in remaining healthy as a person ages is being shown to be more important than was earlier thought. Many factors contribute to the level of nutrition a person receives. Elderly people are often sedentary, home-bound, chronically ill, taking medications. These and other elements in their lifestyle affect the way their bodies utilize and metabolize their food. These and other factors affect how, when, where, and how much they eat. Malnutrition in the form of over or under eating is one of the most pervasive and potentially debilitating problems experienced by the elderly of the United States (Murphy, Everett, & Dresser, 1992, p. 184). Caloric intake in the United States tends to decrease with age. The risk of the elderly consuming too few Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Dietarypatterns. In the presence of inflammation, iron is notreleased into the blood system (Chiari, Bagnoli, De Luca, Monti, Rampoldi &Cunietti, 1995, p. (1992). R. In either case, thecause must be determined. In addition, there isthe possible benefit of lower rates of colon cancer, cardiovascular diseaseand diabetes. Cowley, G. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey EpidemiologicFollow-up Study, conducted during 1982-84, found that the elderly ate abovethe recommended 2 servings of protein, the number of servings of milk andbread products was below recommended levels, and the number of fruits andvegetables was also low (Murphy, Everett & Dresser, 1992, p. 122). 122). Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 43, 822-828. Young children secrete melatonin in large quantities. In contrast to the tested results of supplementing a diet withmelatonin, another supplement being used is Radicals Tea. (1994, November). (1995, August 7). The risk of the elderly consuming toofew nutrients in their diet is real. 825). In J. As the population of elderly people rises, and the costs associatedwith medical care rise, the role nutrition plays in remaining healthy as aperson ages is being shown to be more important than was earlier thought.Many factors contribute to the level of nutrition a person receives.Elderly people are often sedentary, home-bound, chronically ill, takingmedications. Evenso elderly individuals are not consuming enough of them or getting enoughsunlight to manufacture their own. 823). 2 6-7). 823). 769). The body naturallysecretes melatonin from the brain's pineal gland at night (Oxidation, 1993,p. (1995).Predictors of dietary intake in a functionally dependent elderly populationin the community. 681). Where possible polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats should replacesaturated fats (Murphy, Everett & Dresser, 1992, p. The body has built up defenses against oxidation. The most damage from oxidation occurs from free radicals. Vitamin D deficiency in olderpeople. The financial resources available to purchase food,social isolation, educational background, mental and physical healthstatus, and difficulty with food shopping or preparation are often cited asfactors which have an impact on the nutrition of an elderly person(Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr & Boutier, 1995, p. Protein-calorie malnutrition can enhance the effect of inflammationon a person's iron levels (Chiari, Bagnoli, De Luca, Monti, Rampoldi &Cunietti, 1995, p. 1 9). Influence of acute inflammation on iron andnutritional status indexes in older inpatients. Dietary quality andnutritional intake have been shown to be correlated to the degree ofdependency in daily living activities. Nutritional deficiencies have been found in 2 percent to 7 percentof this elderly population (Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr & Boutier, 1995, p.681). LosAngeles, p. 64. Malnutrition can be a contributing element to theanemia, as well as, having an amplifier effect. F. Debilitating disease in the form of cancer, heart disease andarthritis have all been shown to be affected by diet. American Journal of Public Health, 85, 677-683.----------------------- 6 46).Melatonin may help control high blood pressure, cholesterol, and modulatethe release of heart-killing stress hormones. Vitamin Ddeficiency has been found in significant numbers of home-bound elderlyliving in the community without other medical conditions (Gloth & Tobin,1995, p. Life-style habits and socioeconomic considerationsplay a part in the nutritional quality and quantity of food which is eatenby older americans. P., Everett, D. The elderly population needs to be aware of the consequences ofnutrient deficiencies and the prevalence of malnutrition of one type oranother as people age. High blood pressure, heart attack,stroke, diabetes, and cancer all have been linked to high levels of lipidsin the blood system. Newsweek, p. 184-2 9). In children with abnormalsleep patterns, melatonin in doses of 2.4 to 1 milligrams can helpestablish regular sleep patterns. 46). (1995, January 9). 822). Iffree radicals could be removed from the body, then aging and deteriorationof the body could be slowed. Melatonin is currently being promoted for the following uses: to easeinsomnia, the main use, to combat jet lag, prevent pregnancy when taken inlarge doses, to protect cells from free-radical damage, to boost the immunesystem, prevention of cancer, and to extend life (Cowley, 1995, p. In America, many foods are fortified with Vitamin D. D. Both diets arecomplimentary. A safeguard for theelderly would be a multivitamin capsule daily. These and other elements in their lifestyle affect the waytheir bodies utilize and metabolize their food. (1995). Cornoni-Huntley, R. 185). Another nutritional deficiency seen in older individuals is anemia.Anemia may be influenced by multiple factors. To reduce the risk of cancer, a person needs tonot just restrict but to also increase the levels of complex carbohydratesin the form of grains, fruit, and vegetables. M. 46-49. References Chiari, M. & Tobin, J. (1995). Children with down syndrome, cerebralpalsy and autism have been helped at British Columbia's Children's Hospitalwhere melatonin has been tested on its effectiveness with children (Cowley,1995, p. Payette, H., Gray-Donald, K., Cyr, R. The radicals mushroom is not a mushroom but is asymbiosis of yeast cells and bacteria. Increasing the amount of fiber, particularly bran, in the diet hasbeen shown to have a beneficial effect. Supplements of vitamins and minerals can play an important part inthe nutrition levels of older adults. The best known of theseare related to bone problems. Vitamin D deficiencies have been recently found inover 5 percent of healthy community- dwelling older persons (Gloth &Tobin, 1995, p. Oxygen and many substances which containoxygen are chemically reactive and cause tissue damage (Oxidation, 1993, p.1 9). & Boutier, V. This same study found a decrease in the total level of food intakesand in the level of protein consumed when the individual has a vision loss(Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr & Boutier, 1995, p. Recommended dosages of vitamin Dare based on infantile rickets not on adult populations (Gloth & Tobin,1995, p. The recommended levels of vitamin D are set too low forelderly sunlight deprived individuals. Oxidation contributes to at least 6 degenerative diseases (Cowley, 1995, p. Low energy intakes are reflected in involuntary weight loss. Malnutrition in the formof over or under eating is one of the most pervasive and potentiallydebilitating problems experienced by the elderly of the United States(Murphy, Everett, & Dresser, 1992, p. It is the chemical melatonin. When an elderly person lives in the community and is functionallydependent on others his nutritional intake is at risk of being deficient.Home health care services are allowing more elderly people to continue toremain in the community. Muscle weakness can be improvedif a course of 6 to 12 months of vitamin D replacement therapy is given andmaintained (Gloth & Tobin, 1995, p. Replacement iron can be given but may not cure theunderlying health problem. 822). A hormone which can stop freeradicals is known. &Cunietti, E. The American Heart Associations guidelines focus on restricting thedietary intake of fats. 681). Any other benefit is not supported by impartial medicalevidence; the downside is that the fungus if contaminated could potentiallykill you. Medical conditions common to the elderly have beenassociated with vitamin D deficiency: obesity, hypocalcemia, partialgastrectomy, real disease, and severe hepatic disease (Gloth & Tobin, 1995,p. Newsweek, p. Vision loss and a decrease inactivities has been noted in nursing home residents. Therelationship between vision and a lower intake of protein and nutrients isindependent of other medical conditions. In large group studies, it has beenshown that the consumption of several nutrients is below the recommendedlevels. 681). Currently there are no definitive studyresults to support any of the anecdotal evidence of cures. Caloric intake in the UnitedStates tends to decrease with age. 64). Aging is believedto be the result of lifelong accumulation of oxidation damage. Journal of the AmericanGeriatrics Society, 43, 767-771. 49). In diagnosing anemia andlocating the causal factors, medical personnel need to be aware of thedistortion of iron test results because of inflammation. 677). Aging has been strongly linked tothe use of oxygen by humans. Anyfermented product tends to promote healthy bacteria in the intestines whenconsumed (Foster, 1994, p. Increasing fiber intake by amoderate amount over the daily average has been shown to have a positiveeffect on the gastrointestinal function of a person. Thegreatest damage is done by hydroxyl (-OH). The diet of an elderly person should contain nutrient rich foods andenough servings of them. Malnutrition is a contributor to degenerativedisease and a lower quality of life for the elderly. Huntley & J. The FDA isinvestigating whether or not the radicals fungus carries harmful bacteria(Marin, 1995, p. The diets of the elderly vary across the spectrum from good to bad.Some generalizations are possible. Radicals Tea is reportedto cure anything and everything. The mushroom that ate L.A. Excess fat intake is also implicated in cases ofobesity. With age, a person needs to consume a largeramount of fruits and vegetables, grain products, and lean protein. Fat intake is implicatedin a number of debilitating diseases. It has also been anecdotallyreported to alleviate or lessen limb pain. J. Medications (phenytoin andphenobarbital) can disrupt the utilization of vitamin D. 185). Melatonin is able to permeate every cell in the body including braincells (Cowley, 1995, p. The Committee on Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer of the National ResearchCouncil has its own dietary suggestions on reducing the risk of cancer.These include the reduction of fat, including fruits (especially the citrusfruits), vegetables (the carotene-rich and the cruciferous), and includingwhole grains in the daily diet. 1 9). Melatonin. Further studies of longer terms haveincluded zinc and copper in the category of nutrients of which the elderlydo not consume enough (Murphy, Everett & Dresser, 1992, p. Radicals Teaalso goes by the name of manchurian mushroom tea. Marin, R. Excess weight can worsen arthritis. Calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6 were among the first nutrientsin which deficiencies were discovered in the elderly population (Murphy,Everett & Dresser, 1992, p. 46). In thegroup studied by Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr, and Boutier, over 5 percent ofthe population did not consume the recommended levels of protein of .8g/kgfor healthy people. Fatsand sweets should be avoided. 185). M., Bagnoli, R., De Luca, P., Monti, M., Rampoldi, E. 824). Feldman (Eds.).Health Status and well-being of the elderly: National Health and NutritionExamination Survey-I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. (1993, August 14). The most common benefits reported byusers of the tea are regularity, energy, and improved skin (Foster, 1994,p. Oxidation strongly linked to aging. The use of alcoholic beverages should be avoided orconsumed in moderate quantities only (Murphy, Everett & Dresser, 1992, p.185). Vitamin D replacement therapy hasbeen shown to lower the rates of bone fractures in elderly residents ofnursing homes (Gloth & Tobin, 1995, p. The same benefits should be available with the use of any safefermented beverage. The amountin the blood stream begins to drop just before puberty and steadilydeclines from then throughout old age (Cowley, 1995, p. M. Chronic anemia can becaused by bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. NewYork: Oxford University Press. A free radical is a molecule orportion of a molecule with an extra electron (Oxidation, 1993, p. Anemia is associated withlow iron levels. 118-9). The amount of protein needed by the elderly may behigher than this recommended level for long term nitrogen levels in thebody to be maintained (Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr & Boutier, 1995, p. Estimates of dependent elderly living incommunities in the United States range from 1.6 percent to 16 percent(Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr & Boutier, 1995, p. Murphy, S. The American HeartAssociation continues to offer dietary guidance aimed at reducing total fatintake (Murphy, Everett & Dresser, 1992, p. Foster, D. Theelderly should be eating a diet with high levels of nutrient rich foodsbecause of the tendency to lower the quantity of food consumed with age.Each calorie consumed must supply a greater percentage of the nutritionalneeds of the elderly person. Gloth, F. Protein consumption needsto be high enough to maintain body weight, nitrogen levels, and energy.Supplementing the diet with melatonin may be wise. These and other factorsaffect how, when, where, and how much they eat. All of these benefits can be explained by improved digestionwhich would happen with the regular consumption of any fermented beverage. The studies are notcomplete on the importance of melatonin but all indicate it does decreasethe action of free radicals and is not toxic even at large dosages.Radicals Tea may to be of benefit as a fermented drink which increases thedigestion. 46). These are givento elderly patients. The fungus is placed in a glasscontainer of black tea and sugar and allowed to ferment for 7 to 1 daysforming a very mildly alcoholic brew (Foster, 1994, p. & Dresser, C. 681).Chronic illness and demonstrated low energy intake levels further increasethe level of protein required above that which has been established forhealthy elderly individuals. It may increase the effectiveness of theimmune system and slow the growth of tumors and cataracts (Cowley, 1995, p.46). Salt cured and smoked foods should beeaten sparingly. 771). (pp. The guidelines given for fatintake are to reduce total fat consumption, saturated fat, and cholesterol. In the presence of acute inflammation, the bodydoes not metabolize iron in the normal fashion. C. Vitamin D deficiency has many side effects. 185). Trends: Taking the fungal-tea plunge. 184). 118-24. This finding is ofenormous importance in that 1 out of 5 individuals 75 years or older has avisual deficiency (Payette, Gray-Donald, Cyr & Boutier, 1995, p. 679 and p. ScienceNews, 144, 1 9. In years past these same people would have beenforced to live with relatives or move into a controlled living environmentwith support services. Other problems associated with a low vitaminD level are muscle weakness, and pain. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.