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The Role of Vitamins B and D in Your Loved One’s Diet

Elderly Care in Needham, MA – Helping Your Senior Loved One Enjoy a Balanced and Nutritious Diet with Plenty of Vitamins and Minerals

Elderly man drinking milk.Having adequate vitamins in the daily diet is important for a senior adult’s health. As people get older their need for some vitamins increases, so seniors need to be especially careful about making sure they are getting enough of the vitamins B6, B12, C and D, as well as calcium and magnesium.

If your loved one isn’t eating enough food on a daily basis or enough of the right kinds of food, you may want to consider adding some supplements to their diet. It is important to remember that supplements only add to the meals, and do not replace them completely. They can, however, be used in place of a snack.

It is important for seniors not to get carried away by passing diet fads. It’s better to consult their doctor or dietitian in case they want to change their diet or have any questions about whether some foods are healthy for them to eat or not. Some of the most important vitamins seniors should be consuming within their daily diet or as a dietary supplement include:

  • Vitamin B12. B12 helps in creating red blood cells and keeping the nervous system working normally. It helps people feel alert and full of energy. Need for this vitamin is greater with age.
  • Vitamin B6 is important as it helps the body keep blood glucose in a normal range. Foods that contain high doses of B6 include: bananas, beef, chicken, green beans and fish. Most seniors have a problem with not eating many foods that contain B6, and can take multivitamin supplements in order to receive the recommended dose.
  • Folate can be found in vitamin supplements. It helps in forming red blood cells. Folate also helps in preventing cancer.
  • Calcium and vitamin D are in charge of the bone-building process. With the help of daily exercise seniors can prevent osteoporosis, a disease where bones become smaller and fragile. Foods that contain high doses of calcium and vitamin D are also beneficial in maintaining muscle strength for seniors.

If you or an aging loved one are considering non-medical in-home care in Metrowest Boston, MA, call Griswold Home Care and speak to one of our caring staff members today. Call (781) 559-0073

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