Hey team! How was January for you? It's funny to me how fast the year will start to fly. Next thing you know, we're going to be thinking about Christmas again. But the fun part of the year is planning and deciding what to do with your time. I know before we even think about it, the snow will be melted, and I will be standing on a softball field. Anyway, today's focus is on senior nutrition. I've noticed over the years while working in home health, with an aging population, and personal experience- malnutrition is seen in this population. Why does it occur? Why do individuals tend to lose muscle mass considerably as they age? Nutrition is a crucial component of the health and wellness of our older population. So let's dive right into senior nutrition today.

FIVE D'S AFFECTING SENIOR NUTRITION

In contrast to the general public, one group of adults is always trying to gain weight. This group is the elderly. It is common for people to lose weight as they age; however, most of these individuals are malnourished. Furthermore, this population is at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and other lifestyle disorders. Here are five reasons seniors become malnourished. 

1.               Depression:  depression is a considerable risk factor for becoming malnourished. As people emotionally and mentally suffer, so does one's nutrition. The focus has not been on one's nutritional content, and minimal eating occurs from the emotional feelings. Depression can affect individuals at any age; however, older populations have multiple occurrences.

2.               Dementia: this is another risk factor for malnutrition and seniors. Dementia has an increased risk factors as we age, and not remembering if we ate, or what we ate, only contributes to increased malnutrition.

3.               Diarrhea: intestinal complications from medication or other stomach issues increase the risk factor for diarrhea. With diarrhea, many nutrients and hydration are lost through one's stool. Individuals who have frequent diarrhea will also have malnutrition concerns.

4.               Dysgeusia:  this word means the inability to taste. Individuals, as they age, lose some of their ability to taste. I jokingly tell my kids that older populations drink coffee so that they can taste something. But isn't it interesting how our taste buds change as we age? And an inability to taste any food will decrease our affinity for eating overall. Therefore we tend not to eat enough and will be left again malnourished.

5.               Dysphagia:  This means the inability to swallow. Dysphagia is complicated and can occur from multiple disorders or diseases such as a Stroke. Difficulty swallowing is a challenge for many and is a prime reason for malnutrition in an older population. Difficulty swallowing will decrease food intake and increase the body's ability to receive proper nutrients. 

One overlooked reason for malnutrition in an older population, not already mentioned, is our food choices. Our current food supply system creates a large amount of nutrient-poor food. For example, many of our processed foods do not include much fiber and are "enriched" with sugar. This is a double whammy problem. The lack of fiber in the diet leaves our gut bacteria starving. We've have bacteria using fiber from our diet consistently. Without fiber, these bacteria cannot flourish to allow the internal processes to occur and regulate our internal system.  Furthermore, excess soluble or insoluble fiber cannot protect the inner lining of the intestines, and poor food absorption occurs. Leaky gut syndrome or a rise in autoimmune disorders result from insufficient fiber intake. Soluble and insoluble fiber together is essential. This may be found in many of your vegetables, unprocessed and untouched by any manufacturing company.

The second concern with nutrient-poor food is the amount of sugar replaced due to the processing and packaging. When processed foods are stripped of the healthy properties, they must be replaced in order to preserve any sense of flavor. Salt, sugar, and artificial ingredients have increased to add some taste to nutrient poor foods.  Increased sugar and some artificial ingredients will only increase the inflammatory process in one's body. This inflammatory process will create a negative cycle inhibiting the body's need for food. Hormones will be sent to the brain, delivering information to stop eating; we are full. Therefore seniors will not receive the nutrients they need… because they rarely feel hungry. A lack of the available hunger hormone will lead to weight loss and poor nutrition.  

Overall team, malnutrition in seniors is a considerable concern. Many individuals are not receiving the nutrients necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes, heart disease, weight loss, decrease in muscle mass are all seen as the byproduct of poor nutrition. Improving one's risk factors from the five D's will assist in improving the health of a senior. It's crucial that these individuals eat enough food but also nutrient-dense food. Whole Foods, untouched by a manufacturing company, are the best food choices for seniors looking to improve their nutrition. If you'd like to learn more about nutrition, the adverse effects of processed foods, and how to improve your life's health and wellness, please feel free to contact me directly.

• The author, Rob Sumner, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of Sumner Specialized Physical Therapy. He's happy to answer any questions about this article, wellness, fitness, or physical therapy overall by phone at (509) 684-5621or by email at Rob@SumnerPT.com