ch 14 older adults

Nutrition for Older Adults

Estimated calorie needs per day _______ with age resulting from a decrease in energy expenditure

decrease

older adults need _____ protein which is associated with greater muscle mass, better muscle function, and stimulates protein synthesis

more

protein need - healthy older adults

1.0 to 1.2 g/kg per day

protein need - Older adults with an acute or chronic disease

1.2 to 1.5 g/kg per day

protein need - Severe illness or injury or with marked malnutrition

as much as 2.0 g/kg per day

leucine per meal for healthy older adults

At least 2.5g

leucine

• an essential amino acid that plays a key role in stimulating skeletal muscle synthesis

• eggs, meats, fish, dairy

older adults should be eating _______ of protein per meal

~25-30g

fiber needs for age 50 and older - men

30 g/day

fiber needs for age 50 and older - women

21 g/day

vitamin D RDA after age 70

20 mcg/day (800 IU) for both men and women

Low vitamin D levels may lead to these age-related diseases

• Cognitive decline

• Hypertension

• Depression

• Type 2 diabetes

• Osteoporosis

• Cancer

• CVD

vitamin D dietary sources

• fortified milk

• egg yolks

• fatty fish

• beef liver

calcium RDA

• men = 1200 mg per day at age 70

• women = 1200 mg per day at age 51

RDA for vitamin B12

• does not change

• Adults 50+ should get most of this from fortified foods

iron recommendations

• men → does not change

• women → decreases postmenopause

• Deficiency may occur in older adults secondary to:

  • low stomach acid

  • the use of antacids

  • chronic blood loss from diseases or medications

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) - Potential Age-Related Benefits

• Lower the risk of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

• Less age-related brain shrinkage

• Prolonged survival

• Reduced risk of frailty, possibility even at late stages of life

• Greater chance of living beyond 70 years with greater health and well-being

the MIND diet

• Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet

• lowers BP, reduces risk of CVD

• encouraged foods:

  • Vegetables (esp. leafy greens)

  • fruits (esp. berries)

  • nuts, olive oil, whole grains, beans

  • fish, poultry

• Limit: red meat, butter, cheese, fried foods, pastries/sweets

• high in vitamin E, DHA, B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D, all of which have been found to help prevent neuron aging

Common symptoms of malnutrition

• Confusion

• Fatigue

• Weakness

Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) - score of 0 or 1

not at risk

Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) - score of 2 or more

at risk

for LTC residents, food intakes <75% and weight loss of 5% in ________ warrant investigation

30 days

Sarcopenia

• A progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder characterized by

  • accelerated loss of muscle mass

  • gradual functional decline

Sarcopenia - Adverse outcomes

• physical disability

• frailty, falls resulting in fractures

• poor quality of life

• death

Frailty

• A medical syndrome with multiple causes and contributors that is characterized by

  • diminished strength

  • diminished endurance

  • reduced physiological function

    • increases an individual’s vulnerability for dependency and/or death

• more common in women bc women have less muscle mass than men

• Vitamin D supplements may improve muscle function and reduce the risk of falls, hip fractures, and mortality

Alzheimer's Disease - risk factors

• increased age

• family history

• CVD

• stroke

• hypertension

• diabetes