Maintaining a healthy diet is critical for keeping in good health as we age. But throughout our lives, we don’t always adhere to the best eating habits.
In fact, many dieticians have studied the health effects of poor diets throughout life, and those who haven’t chosen the healthy path often find themselves dealing with health concerns later in life.
For example, many studies regarding Alzheimer’s have shown how a poor diet plays a significant role in the mental decline in our later years. Additionally, Alzheimer’s patients are also more likely to end up in nursing homes. And this is something you’ll want to avoid, especially with the numerous cases of abuse at nursing homes across the country; even with the number of advocacy groups that will fight for your rights, it’s best to avoid the risk of experiencing abuse altogether.
Thankfully, there are many ways to supplement your diet in order to get the proper intake of vitamins that you need to stay healthy. In the following post, we’ll detail a few supplements that can help with the effects of aging.
CBD Oil
Most people associate CBD oil with the euphoric effects of marijuana. However, CBD is not an active ingredient that produces the “high” associated with marijuana.
Cannabidiol (CBD) contains less than 3 percent THC, so the active ingredient which produces the high associated with marijuana is altogether absent. And though CBD has been known since the 1940s, the benefits of CBD are just beginning to be utilized.
For seniors, you can benefit from CBD usage in the following ways:
- Reduced stress
- Reduced anxiety
- Relief of arthritis pain
- Relief of muscle tension
- Headache relief
- Cramp relief
The above list is only a small sample of the benefits of CBD usage. And though many seniors may be skeptical of using CBD due to long-standing laws that have prohibited the use of marijuana until recent years, studies continue to show the safety and benefits of CBD as a whole.
B Vitamins
One of the drawbacks to aging is that our bodies become less able to absorb vitamins efficiently, especially B Vitamins. And numerous studies have shown that B12 deficiencies have been linked to a variety of brain disorders.
Additionally, B Vitamins are also great for healthy nerve and circulatory function, heart health, blood pressure, and mental focus.
Aside from supplements, any foods that are rich in folates, niacin, riboflavin, or biotin are excellent sources of B Vitamins. And nutritionists have also found that vitamins, in general, are better absorbed when ingested in the form of natural food sources. Getting vitamins from a nutrient supplement like Balance of Nature may help you to avoid other deficiencies.
As such, some of the best food sources for B12 and other B Vitamins include fortified breakfast cereal, chicken, beef, liver, and fish such as trout, salmon, and tuna.
Calcium & Vitamin D
It’s not a secret that as we age, we lose muscle mass and bone density. And this can present a major problem for seniors and mobility.
Without healthy bones and muscles, you run the risk of seriously injuring yourself just by performing basic motions. For example, a slip and fall could land you in the hospital with broken bones or torn ligaments.
In order to combat the effects of aging where bones and muscles are concerned, getting plenty of Vitamin D and calcium is essential to bone and muscle health. And in addition to this, regular exercise has been proven to increase bone and muscle health.
Food sources rich in calcium and Vitamin D such as milk, fatty fish, okra, kale, spinach, cheese, egg yolks, and soybeans are excellent choices to incorporate into your diet. Additionally, avoiding carbonated beverages will greatly help with bone health, as carbonated drinks have been known to increase the risk of osteoporosis.
At the end of the day, your diet is one of the most important aspects of your overall health. And ensuring that you’re getting proper nutrition through food sources and supplements is going to be fundamental to maintaining health throughout your life and into your golden years.