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Would A Plant Based Diet Be The Best One for Senior Citizens?
Take into Account These 5 Considerations
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Today in the 21st century, a plant based diet for seniors seems to be the fashionable route to follow as the better healthy dietary option for people in this age tranche. As such, more and more elderly people are embracing this dietary lifestyle.
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Studies carried out by Harris Poll reported that over 2.7 percent of adults aged 55-64 are vegetarian. This has encouraged more restaurants in the US to offer vegetarian and vegan meals.
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In this article, we explore whether a 100% plant based diet is actually the healthier option. Or do we we need the addition of animal-based foods as a balancing dietary lifestyle choice for senior citizens?
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1. Improved Telomeres Activity in A Plant Based Diet
Telomeres are distinctive structures which are found at the ends of chromosomes. They are responsible for rebuilding caps at the end of the DNA strands.
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Each time a cell divides, 25-200 bases are lost from the telomere ends of the chromosomes. The end replication problem continues as one ages until the chromosome reaches critical length and can no longer be replicated. At critical length, the cell dies through a process that is referred to as apoptosis.
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According to research conducted by the U.S. department of Defense, a plant based diet helps to increase production of telomeres in your body. This implies that a plant based diet can not only increase the number of telomeres, but it can also help slow down the aging process in women and men.
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2. A Plant Based Diet May Help General Good Health. However Animal Protein and Fats are Scientifically Proven necessities for optimal health too.
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Senior living Help reports that older adults often have weakened immunity as a result of malnutrition.
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Common health ailment among seniors include heart attacks, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Colourful low-carb fruits and vegetables are very beneficial to human health and can help strengthen the immune system.
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However, it must not be overlooked that cholesterol is also crucial for human health, contrary to what the media has been reporting at least for the last half century. Cholesterol is necessary for the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins including A,D,E and K, the absence of which has drastically contributed to malnutrition.
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It is a scientific fact that part of our cell membranes is made of cholesterol. Additionally, all our bodily hormones including testosterone, progesterone and estrogen are made from cholesterol.
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The absence of real cholesterol in the diet together with the use of cholesterol-lowering statins would probably explain why erectile dysfunction is almost pandemic in the Western world. And male senior males who wish to enjoy a healthy romantic and sex life well into old age should take heed.
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A plant based diet, if that is the chosen route, with the addition of small amount of vital cholesterol (butter from grass-fed pasture-raised cows, real free-range eggs, goose fat) would be a sensible and healthy diet for seniors to follow.
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3. A Plant Based Diet Can Help Improve Skin Health. So does a diet including vital animal protein, fat and collagen
People who choose to eat a plant based diet have reported they feel better and also they also look better. Fruits and veggies do contain essential antioxidants, vitamins and minerals (remember the fat-soluble vitamins required fat for absorption).
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Taking them can help improve collagen levels in your skin, helping you to look younger. The antioxidants contained in a certain colourful fruits and vegetables can help to prevent wrinkles and kill cancerous cells. For example, tomatoes contain Lycopene, an antioxidant that helps to combat free radicals which damage healthy cells.
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Dietary collagen from animal sources like gelatin from bone marrow, chicken feet and animal trotters are also vital for cardiovascular health.
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4. A Protein-Rich Diet Helps Prevent Muscle Loss
According to Suzette Pereira, PhD, “Amino acids are what the muscle uses to build itself.”
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Free-range eggs, farm-raised chicken, sea fish, dairy produce from pasture-raised cows are great protein sources. These help seniors to retain muscle mass as they age.
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5. Better Brain Health
The Mediterranean-style diet is based on legumes, veggies, and grains with a smaller amount of fish and meat. This diet is touted to enhance brain health in adults.
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However, it is also a fact that saturated fat is a fundamental building block for brain cells. And one of the richest sources of saturated fat is found in human breast milk.
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In a similar fashion, cholesterol is necessary for a brain to function optimally.
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There are numerous health benefits of both a plant based diet as well as an animal based diet for seniors. A healthy balance of both is necessary, BASED ON SCIENTIFIC FACTS.
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Are you a caregiver for your loved one who is a senior citizen? Get your facts from real scientific journals, real medical science, not popular media or hear-say.
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It is your duty to do this if you have elderly people in your care. Your job and duty is to ensure healthy aging and retirement.
Article by Holly Klamer
holly@seniorguidance.org
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