10 November 2011
Changing eating habits as people get older is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, according to one expert.
Yvonne Bishop-Weston, nutritional therapist at Foods for Life suggested that elderly people should think about what sorts of foods they should eat to stay healthy, active and mentally well.
She suggested that wholegrains instead of processed pasta and rice are better for the body and digestive system.
Studies showed that the digestive system is likely to slow down with age.
"Our digestion becomes sluggish as we age and so we become more prone to constipation and that can make us feel full-up," Ms Bishop-Weston said, "Having wholegrain helps to maintain bowel regularity."
Higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids and reduced levels of saturated fats are also important for the brain which needs to re-grow cells frequently.
Intensively reared meats, cheese and pastries can lead to inflammation in the body and are also high in fat, which can cause diseases such as blocked arteries and fatty build-up around the organs.
Fatty liver is a serious, irreversible condition which affects people who are overweight or obese and not taking in the correct amount of nutrients in their everyday diets.
Posted by Philip Briggs
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