Basic Nutrition for Older Adults

Older people need fewer calories because they have less muscle mass and a slower metabolism. While older people need fewer calories, their need for protein remains the same and their need for vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids increases.

40% of people age 51 and older do not eat enough. 2 out of 5 older people eat less than 2/3 of their recommended caloric intake. This lower food intake is one of the causes for the widespread nutritional deficiencies among the elderly. It may be caused or worsened by zinc deficiency, which causes a decrease in appetite. Old people have low levels of nutrients because 40% do not eat enough. They have a decreased ability to digest, absorb, and metabolize nutrients, their medication depletes nutrients, and the activity of their defensive enzymes decreases, causing them to use up their antioxidant nutrients more quickly. For these and other reasons, high-quality and easily absorbed supplements are essential.

Source: Nutrition Made Simple by Robert Crayhon