The repercussions of bad diet: Bad diet influences all systems in the organism of the ageing.

The dietetic programme of the elderly: The diet of the ageing, in quantity and quality, should not differ from the rest of the population. A healthy diet should not be confused with the special nutritive diets that are often given to the elderly who face specific health problems. A healthy diet concerns all the ageing and aims at maintaining their bodily health.

Basic steps that should be observed:

·        The food taken must ensure the required sum of calories and the essential basic nutritious substances.

·        The fat content of ingested food should be checked and must correspond with 25 to 30 percent of the calorie intake.

·        The daily consumption of liquids should amount to at least 2000 ml.

·        The consumption of herbal teas which contain caffeine is permissible but must be regulated.

·        The consumption of alcoholic drinks in small quantities is permissible but no more than 60 ml per 24 hours.

·        Watch the consumption of salt but don't restrict it, particularly during summer months.  

·        The consumption of fibre-rich food is recommended.

·        Specially treated foods should be consumed when there is a problem with chewing.

Most important nutrients that should be consumed by the elderly are the following:

·        Vitamin D: Essential in the metabolism of calcium and hence for the health of bones.

·        Vitamin C: Is a water soluble vitamin that is found in big quantities in peppers, oranges, broccoli, kiwi, strawberries and tomatoes.

·        Vitamin B Compound: important in the health of the elderly are vitamin B12 and folic acid.

·        Lutein: A natural component for eye colouring, whose role is to protect the retina from degeneration.

Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10): A fat-burning ingredient with intense antioxidant action, which has a beneficial effect to our cardiovascular system.