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Nutritional Needs of the Elderly

Dec 23rd, 2020

Posts Tagged ‘ Healthy Food ’

Nutritional Needs of the Elderly

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020

Staying away from your parents? Constantly worried about their well-being? Concerned about an elderly family member with poor health? The elderly are more vulnerable to develop chronic health conditions due to their weak immune system and dietary deficiencies. Educate your loved ones about the importance of good nutrition and support them in every possible way to meet their health requirements. A healthy diet helps senior citizens increase their immunity and stay healthy.

Why Nutrition Matters?
After crossing 60 years of age, seniors may need more sleep, less physical exertion, and different types of foods than they needed before. Aging changes one’s nutritional needs and appetite, older people may eat less, but need nutrient-rich meals. The aging process involves changes in the physiological, pathological, social, and psychological conditions of a person. Nutrition is an important element of health among the elderly, and it affects the whole process of aging. As you age, your body becomes less efficient at absorbing some key nutrients and some foods become difficult to chew or digest. Poor nutrition may lead to a decline in various bodily functions, impaired muscle function, decreased bone mass, weakened immunity, reduced cognitive function, poor wound healing, and delayed recovery from surgery.

Nutritional Health Tips for the Elderly

Here are some key nutrients that must be included in the diet of the elderly. These help fight the problems of aging make them resilient:

  • Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in bone health, muscle health, immunity, and cognition. Sunlight is the best source, but aging reduces the ability to absorb it well. Speak to your doctor and take a supplement if required.
  • Calcium is a mineral involved in bone health, muscle health, nerve transmission, and hormone secretion. Include milk and dairy products, green leafy vegetables, soya bean, broccoli, figs, etc in your diet.
  • Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in metabolism, immunity, and is involved in over 100 different enzyme reactions in the body. Get your required intake by including a wide variety of different foods like banana, rice, chickpeas, paneer, spinach, etc. in your diet.
  • Vitamin B-12 is involved in DNA creation, red blood cell formation, and nerve function. The absorption of vitamin B-12 may decrease with age and seniors are usually recommended fortified foods or supplements.
  • Fiber plays an important role in digestion, preventing constipation, and even reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
  • Protein is a macro-nutrient found in every single cell in the body and is very essential for life. Protein also aids in immunity, maintaining muscle, and maintaining physical function in seniors. A protein deficiency can cause malnutrition or muscle loss. Lentils and legumes, eggs, oats, milk and dairy products, nuts and seeds are good sources of protein.
  • Getting enough potassium in your diet helps keep your bones strong. This essential mineral is vital for cell function, controls blood pressure levels, and reduces the risk of kidney stones. Fruits and vegetables like bananas, plums, prunes, and potatoes with their skin are rich in potassium.
  • Magnesium plays a crucial role in some 300 different physiological processes. Fill your plate with as many unprocessed foods as possible, including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, beans and seeds, all of which are great sources of magnesium.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats, that help ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and also help improve your cognitive skills.  Consumption of fish, soybeans, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, and canola oil are helpful.

Do you need a personalized diet plan to help manage certain health conditions? Consult our highly experienced dieticians from the comfort of your home over an online consultation or visit us personally. Our team caters to the needs of the elderly with utmost compassion and expertise. Please find the below website link for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutritiontherapy.html

World Heart Day

Monday, September 28th, 2020

In India, more than 17 lakh people die every year due to heart diseases and by 2030, the figure is expected to increase with 2.3 crore deaths. As per the World Health Organization, Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of mortality globally, as well as in India. Indians due to their genetic make-up are more vulnerable to heart diseases as compared to their western counterparts. According to the Indian Heart Association, 50% of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 50 years of age and 25% of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 40 years of age. It is time that Indians make their heart health a priority and make positive changes towards reducing their risk of heart diseases.

Heart Disease: Types
Heart disease refers to various types of conditions that can affect heart function. These include:

  • Coronary artery (atherosclerotic) heart disease that affects the arteries connecting to the heart. Heart attack comes under this.
  • Valvular heart disease that affects how the valves function to regulate blood flow in and out of the heart.
  • Cardiomyopathy that affects how the heart muscle squeezes.
  • Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) that affect the electrical conduction.
  • Congenital heart disease heart has structural problems before birth.

Classic signs and symptoms of coronary heart disease may include:

  • Chest pain (angina)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Irregular heartbeat

If you notice any of these symptoms, this is a medical emergency and needs immediate attention.

Heart Disease: Risk factors
Several risk factors play an important role in determining if you will develop heart disease. Two of these factors, age, and heredity, are out of your control. However, you can make changes in your lifestyle to reduce your heart disease risk:

  • Smoking  – Smoking damages the blood vessels in your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Quit smoking, protect your heart health.
  • Unhealthy diet  – The foods you eat can affect your heart health. What you eat and how much can impact other risk factors for heart disease, such as your cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and weight.
  • Being inactive  – People who aren’t active enough have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Doing regular physical activity or exercise often can cut your risk of having a heart attack or developing heart disease.
  • Obesity – Being overweight or obese can lead to many health conditions and increase your chances of developing heart disease. Achieving a healthy weight is an important step in improving your heart, health, and wellbeing.
  • Alcohol – Drinking a lot over the long term can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, weaken your heart muscle, and increase triglycerides. Say “No” to alcohol.

Heart Disease: Preventive measures
Heart disease is dangerous, but you can prevent heart disease to some extent by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are strategies to help you protect your heart:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Stop smoking
  • Eat healthy
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Reduce stress in your life
  • Control your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers
  • Get an annual heart check-up done
  • Take medications for any health conditions

Heart Disease: Healthy eating
Your eating habits play an essential role in deciding your heart health. It is time to make some conscious changes to adopt a heart-healthy diet. Here are a few simple tips to follow:

  • Control your portion size
  • Eat more vegetables and fruits
  • Select whole grains
  • Limit unhealthy fats
  • Reduce the sodium in your food

Centre for Cardiac Sciences at Kokilaben Hospital
The burden of heart diseases in India is on the rise. Specialists at our Centre for Cardiac Sciences provide an all-inclusive programme for the management of heart disease from newborns to adults including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. The team also conducts advanced minimally-invasive procedures for valve replacement, key-hole surgery, beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting, and awake cardiac surgery. Our experts have performed more than 1700+ Coronary Angioplasties and 6200+ Cardiac Surgeries.

The centre is supported by

  • Advanced Cardiac Cath Labs
  • Dedicated Cardiac Operation Theatres
  • Fractional Flow Rate (FFR) for better diagnosis
  • External Counter Pulsation (ECP) for Refractory Cardiac Failure patients
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology for managing Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities0
  • Vibrant Non-Invasive Cardiology Programme

Centre for Children’s Heart
1 in 10 children suffers from congenital heart disease in India. Early detection and treatment aided by advanced technology help improve the survival and quality of life of newborns. The Children’s Heart Centre at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, is a world-class facility specialising in providing comprehensive care for neonates, infants, and children. The Centre possesses top of the line Heart Lung Machines used during surgeries, ECMO used in Critical Care, and 3D Echo machines for an accurate diagnosis.

Concerned about heart conditions like atherosclerosis, angina, heart failure, heart attack, irregular heartbeats, aortic valve disease, congenital heart problems? Consult highly trained experts from our Centre for Cardiac Sciences & Centre for Children’s Heart for timely diagnosis and exceptional treatment. Call us on 022 42699999 for any cardiac emergencies. Please find the below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cardiacsciences.html

Right nutrition = Strong immunity

Saturday, September 5th, 2020

Make healthy food choices and eat right to help strengthen your body’s immune system. The main tasks of the body’s immune system are: to fight disease-causing germs (pathogens) like bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi, and to remove them from the body, and to fight disease-causing changes in the body, such as cancer cells. The way your body fights an infection depends on your overall health. Regular exercise, sufficient sleep, low stress levels and a nutrient rich food helps increase your body’s capability of fighting a disease.

Choose to eat right
Some compounds have properties that help make your immune system strong and help your fight diseases. Here is a list of must-haves in your daily diet:

  • Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants: Studies have shown that fruits and vegetables provide nutrients—like beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E—that can boost immune function. Many of the vegetables, fruits, and other plant-based foods are also rich in antioxidants, they help reduce oxidative stress.
  • Beta-Carotene: Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and boost immune function by increasing disease-fighting cells in the body. Excellent sources include sweet potatoes, carrots, and green leafy vegetables.
  • Vitamin C and E: Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help to destroy free radicals and support the body’s natural immune response. Sources of vitamin C include red peppers, oranges, strawberries, broccoli, mangoes, lemons, and other fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E sources include nuts, seeds, spinach.
  • Vitamin D: Research shows vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk for viral infections, including respiratory tract infections, by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory compounds in the body. Food sources of vitamin D include fortified cereals and milk and dairy products.
  • Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that can help boost white blood cells, which defend against invaders. Sources include nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, beans, and lentils.

Healthy eating tips
You may be eating the most nutritious diet but some dietary mistakes can weaken your immune system and have adverse effects on your health. Here are a few guidelines to follow to help preserve your immunity:

  • Avoid eating processed foods
  • Reduce sugar intake
  • Choose plant-based, whole foods
  • Say “No” to alcohol

Immunity boosting Superfoods
Superfoods contain a variety of nutrients that help ward off many diseases. Here is a list of such superfoods that are known for its immunity building properties:

Citrus fruits – The high vitamin C content in citrus fruits helps increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections. Popular citrus fruits include oranges, grapes, kiwi, tangerines.

Broccoli – Broccoli is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fibre and many other antioxidants. It is one of the healthiest vegetables and must be lightly cooked.

Garlic – Its immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

Ginger – Since ages, ginger has been used for medicinal purposes, due to its rich nutritional properties. The presence of gingerol, an active component makes ginger a perfect immunity booster.

Spinach -Spinach is packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which helps increase the infection-fighting ability of your immune systems.

Almonds – Almonds have high concentrations of vitamin E that plays a crucial role in keeping the immune system healthy. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids the production of red blood cells and boosts blood circulation.

Yogurt – Yogurt is considered a probiotic that is essential to your immune system’s health. The good bacteria directly affects your gut, and helps improve your immunity.

Green Tea – Green tea contains excellent antioxidant properties that help the body detox toxins and other harmful elements. Green tea contains a powerful antioxidant called EGCG or epigallocatechin that works as an immunity booster.

Sunflower Seeds – Sunflower seeds are packed with nutrients and minerals, including vitamin E, vitamin B-6, magnesium, and phosphorus that benefit your immune system.

Turmeric – Curcumin present in suppresses various inflammatory molecules that are responsible for the causes of the damage by viruses.

A healthy lifestyle and balanced nutrition go a long way in improving your wellness and boosting your immunity. For personalised nutrition plans do consult specialists at our Department of Nutrition Therapy at:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutritiontherapy.html

Getting back to work safely

Saturday, August 29th, 2020

The future of work looks very different than it did just a few months ago. While some will have to continue to work from home others may have resumed office and this may increase the rate of transmission. Exposure can occur in the workplace while commuting to work or during work-related travel. The employees and the organization both will have to find new efficient ways of working while ensuring everyone’s safety. As businesses reopen in the ‘New Normal’, communication and personal hygiene are more important than ever. Clear policies and messages, training, and constant reminders at the organization are required to increase the awareness of the new safety precautions. Following high levels of personal hygiene is also crucial to fight this pandemic.

Workplace safety protocols to be followed
The implementation of safety protocols will limit the exposure to COVID-19 and will, in turn, reduce the rate of transmission at the workplace. Both employers and employees must take utmost precautions to help reduce the spread of the infection. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

For employees:
Here are a few steps that employees can take to protect themselves and others at work:

  • Wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or to use hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Key times for employees to clean their hands include:
    • Before and after work shifts
    • Before and after work breaks
    • After blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing
    • After using the restroom
    • Before lunchtime
    • After putting on, touching, or removing cloth face coverings
  • Avoid using other employee’s phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment.
  • Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of their elbow. Dispose of these tissues safely in a covered dustbin,
  • Stay home if they are sick and seek medical help if required.
  • Avoid sharing your lunch and eat your lunch in your own workspace.
  • Practice social distancing by avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (at least 6 feet) from others.

For the employers
Here are a few steps that employers can take to protect themselves and others at work:

  • Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of premises and frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, and doorknobs.
  • Call the staff to office in staggered shifts to avoid crowding.
  • Use thermal scanners to monitor the temperature at entrance.
  • Ensure regular supply of hand sanitizers(especially at the entrance), soap, and running water in washrooms.
  • Discourage visitors in the office complex unless absolutely necessary.
  • Encourage meetings via video conferencing.
  • Encourage email correspondence instead of physical copies.
  • Facilitate work from home option whenever required.

Healthy living habits for better immune health
A balanced and nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle choices will help reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. Maintaining a healthy diet contributes to high energy levels, improves your brain function, and helps ward off diseases. A strong immunity helps reduce your risk of getting the infection at your workplace or while you travel. Here is a routine that you can follow to help build a strong natural defence system:

Start your day with a healthy breakfast
Including vegetables like carrot, spinach, sweet potatoes, garlic, dark leafy greens, tomato, and broccoli; and fruits like papaya, oranges and other citrus fruits, that contain vitamins A, C, D, and E, and minerals like magnesium, selenium, and zinc to your daily breakfast routine is the first step to build up a strong defence system.

Get good sleep
A human body naturally repairs and recovers, during sleep, from all the wear and tear. Ensure that you get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily.

Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated flushes out all the toxins from the body. Have 8 to 10 glasses of water throughout the day.

Make some time for exercise 
Try exercises like power yoga, skipping, push-ups, jogging on the spot at home.

Practice meditation
A mere 10 minutes of meditation every day can make a big difference. A calm mind helps in better focus and helps strengthen your immunity.

The unlock has begun, the businesses are opening up and the world is getting back to the routine. Make sure you return even stronger and ensure your safety first as you start getting busy in various professional commitments. While attending meetings and finishing other pending tasks do not forget to maintain personal hygiene. Together we can help limit the spread of COVID-19 transmission. Stay safe and healthy as you get back to your workplace.