Category: Aging
Aging and Protein
What causes us to age? Can consuming more protein and low carb recipes that are rich in protein help humans to retain their physical health longer? There’s been a lot of speculation about this topic among scientists and researchers in the past few years. Of course, just about everyone knows that protein serves as the building blocks of much of the body. Much of our tissues and organs are comprised largely of protein. Our heart, our skin, other organs, and especially our muscles consist mostly of protein. In order to maintain these vital elements, they need protein on a regular basis, which is consumed in the diet.
Perhaps you’ve seen the advertisements on television that sell protein drinks meant especially for older adults. Why is that? One reason for this is because many doctors don’t think that a large percentage of senior citizens are consuming enough protein. The old standard of daily protein needs for adults is now coming under fire. For years, it was believed that all adults needed about 0.8 gram of protein each day for every kilogram of body weight. Now, however, many health care professionals are suggesting that senior citizens need more protein than that. They believe that seniors need 1 – 1.2 grams of protein every day for every kilogram of body weight. This extra protein can keep seniors more active for more years by supporting muscle mass, connective tissue, and organs. Calcium from high protein foods like milk and cheese can keep bones and teeth strong, too.
If you’re a senior citizen, or even if your middle-age, try to incorporate more protein into your daily diet. Instead of snacking on high carb foods, substitute some high protein foods, instead. Nuts, beef jerky, peanut butter, and cheese are all good high protein sources. Instead of a soda, have a glass of milk. Keep boiled eggs in the fridge in a ziplock food bag, all peeled and ready to eat.
The Reality of Aging
Aging is a natural process of life. Most people don’t like it but it’s something we all have to deal with. The first signs of aging typically show up on our skin through wrinkles. With the amount of anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cream products out there, it shows that most people would like to slow down the aging process. Some try to extend their youth by eating right and taking Herbalife vitamins while others figure out how to retire early and work hard on doing that so they can enjoy their youth while it’s still there. After the physical signs of aging comes the mental signs.
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia which causes a loss in brain function. For many people, as they age, they will seem to forget things that recently happened to them. Their response time will be slowed and so will their movement. Memory loss is just one of the symptoms of aging for many people. There’s also the feeling of hopelessness and even loneliness at times.
That being said, growing older doesn’t have to be so darn depressing. How your life will be in old age will be determined by how you take care of yourself now and how your attitude will be. Plenty of older folks live happy lives despite the wrinkles and reduced mobility.
