Old age can be quite a battle if not looked after carefully. It can not only create problems for those living through it but for those who live along with them as they need to do a lot of care taking for their aged relatives. The primary reason for old age illness is due to the lack of vitamin B12 in the body and deficiency of calcium or vitamin D which is the cause of all major joint and bone related illness. After a certain age, the body does not consume enough vitamin B12 from food and hence there is an additional requirement for intake of this vitamin.

As the body ages, it requires less amount of calories and more vitalizing nutrients. Hence, it is always advisable to have minimal calorie diet as it may lead to excessive weight and other heart diseases. We consume a lot of important vitamins and minerals in our daily diet but the requirement for specific nutrients grows with age, especially vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

Vitamin B12

Prolonged lack of vitamin B12 leads to developing anemia. Due to this the body constantly becomes weary and tired even with less amount of work done than previously. Apart from this, lack of concentration and short term memory loss are other effects of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Hence it is always advisable that meat, eggs, poultry and fish consumption should be regular diet for aging individuals. For vegetarians, milk and other dairy products like butter, curd, milk and cheese are substitutes for vitamin B12.

Calcium and Vitamin D

Calcium needs of the body also rise once the body crosses the age of 50. Calcium is the major component of human bones and hence deficiency in calcium will lead to bone related illness with constant pain in joints, typically knees and shoulders. Although early morning exposure to sunlight may restore some amount of Vitamin D, other substitutes involve consumption of dairy products that are low in fat, soy related beverages rich in calcium and canned fish.

Apart from these two vitamins, people crossing the age of 50 should also incorporate more fiber rich food in their daily diet. Fiber is typically available in most fruits and cereals and it helps to reduce the cholesterol levels in blood, minimizing the risks of heart attacks. Other vitamins helping out healthy aged lifestyle are vitamin C and vitamin E again found in abundance in fruits. These vitamins typically lead to healthy cardiovascular tasks minimizing heart and blood pressure problems. Try and avoid usage of regular salt in food as it is high in sodium which is a major culprit behind high blood pressure.

At old age, people tend to give up eating due to loss of appetite and hence whatever less that is been eaten, needs to be well balanced and full of required nutrients for a healthy life ahead. Regular consumption of a well balanced diet coupled with regular exercise and a healthy routine lifestyle does go a long way in keeping you are near ones happy.