Why is “protein” important for “seniors”?
Why is “protein” important for “seniors”?
Protein is considered a major nutrient that is important for the elderly because protein is a nutrient that helps build strong muscles. It also helps tighten muscles, strengthen bones, and improve the functioning of the immune system. If the elderly receive enough protein nutrients, it will give them more energy, make them feel refreshed and lively, and allow the various mechanisms of the body to function perfectly because all enzymes in the body are made up of protein.
In addition, protein helps maintain strong muscle mass, prevent muscle atrophy, and repair worn out parts of the body. Elderly people who do not receive enough protein to meet their body’s needs tend to gain weight more easily than elderly people who eat enough protein. This is because protein helps stabilize blood sugar levels in the elderly, making them not feel hungry easily. This helps the elderly control their eating and weight.
What happens if the elderly lack protein?
As mentioned above, protein helps maintain strong muscle mass because the important parts of body movement are not just bones and joints, but also muscles that control the body’s movement, which are equally important. Therefore, losing muscle as we age can lead to problems with body movement, which increases the risk of accidents and injuries. When an injury occurs, the body takes a long time to recover to normal.
Food sources of protein suitable for the elderly
It is well known that protein is abundant. Especially in meat, milk and eggs. However, we often find that the elderly consume less meat due to the tough texture of meat, which is difficult to chew and difficult to eat. This causes the elderly to choose to avoid eating meat. Therefore, the opportunity for the elderly to receive protein is reduce. Therefore, it is recommend to prepare meat dishes that have a soft texture, are not too fatty or skiny.
-Fish meat is a very good source of protein, suitable for the elderly because the meat is soft and easy to digest. However, all bones and cartilage should remove before eating.
– Eggs are another food that is suitable for the elderly because they have high nutritional value. One egg contains an egg yolk, which contains a high amount of iron. You can eat 1 egg per day. In the case of the elderly who have high blood fat, high blood pressure, diabetes, or those with cardiovascular disease, they can eat 3 eggs per week.
– Milk/soy milk is a food with high protein and also has a lot of calcium. The elderly should drink 1 glass per day. However, for the elderly with high blood fat or high weight. It is recommend to drink low-fat milk or low-sugar soy milk.
– Grains and dried beans are foods that are high in protein. They also contain various vitamins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. Caregivers can prepare beans in place of meat in some meals to reduce monotony. If the elderly eat the same types of food repeatedly without variety, it will be easier for them to lose their appetite and not get all the nutrients they need.
Precautions for consuming protein in the elderly
For the elderly who have high blood fat and high blood pressure, they should be careful about consuming protein from meats with high fat, such as fatty meat, Chinese sausage, and pork rolls. They should not eat a lot of meat or protein before going to bed because it will make them feel uncomfortable and unable to sleep. In addition, consuming too much protein will have negative effects on the body, causing the kidneys to work more. This is because in the elderly, kidney function is reduce by more ยูฟ่าเบท than 50 percent compared to young people. However, lack of protein in the elderly is one of the causes of swelling, itchy skin, fatigue, and reduced immunity. Therefore, a good choice is to eat a moderate amount of protein together with other nutrients in every meal.