Monday, June 22, 2009

NUTRITION COMPONENTS, THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE ELEMENTS IN OLD AGE PERIOD, THE REQUIRED AMOUNTS

NUTRITION COMPONENTS, THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE ELEMENTS IN OLD AGE PERIOD, THE REQUIRED AMOUNTS

Nutrition elements are the chemical substances which are existent in the composition of foods. After being eaten, foods are separate to nutrients in the digestive organs and they are used in the body in that form. For the growth, development and maintain healthy of their life, human beings need more than forty kinds of nutrient components. The nutrients which human beings need can be enumerated as follows:

1. Proteins
2. Fats
3. Carbohydrates
4. Vitamins and Minerals
5. Water

1. PROTEINS

a. Its Importance in Old Age:

Protein is necessary for:

• Production of the body organs
• Restoration of cells
• Protection of the body from external effects
• Development of resistance to diseases by strengthening of the immune system
• Facilitating of recovery in conditions of fall, injury and fracture
• The protection and strengthening of muscle tissues

Protein provides energy for the body. One gram of protein provides 4 calories. Protein is used for energy when carbohydrates and fats are taken in small amounts. This is an undesirable situation
since protein cannot carry out its real functions when it is used as energy.

b. Protein Sources:

Protein is present in all animal and vegetative foods. However, these foods are different with respect to their protein amounts and qualities (the condition of usage in the body). The proteins provided by foods of animal origin like meat, meat products, egg, fish are of high quality whereas the protein from the vegetative foods is of low quality.

Since high proportion of fresh vegetables and fruits is water, protein amount consisted by them is small. Generally, fresh vegetables comprise 1-2% and fresh fruits 0,5-1% protein.

c.Protein requirements in old age:

Health problems like infection, surgical operations, injuries and fracture increase protein requirements. Furthermore, 1 gr. protein per 1kg. of body weight may satisfy the daily requirements when the immune system functions which decrease by aging are taken into consideration. With that respect, daily protein requirement of a person with 70 kg. is 70x1=70 gr.

In the situations like chronic kidney disease where the daily protein intake should be decreased, the daily requirements must be determined by the experts on the basis of the condition of the disease.

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