Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

620 ALICE CALLAHAN, PHD, HEATHER LEONARD, MED, RDN, AND TAMBERLY POWELL, MS, RDN
NUTRIENT NEEDS IN OLDER ADULTS
Energy and Macronutrients
Due to reductions in lean body mass and metabolic rate, older adults have lower calorie
needs than younger adults. The energy requirements for people ages 51 and older are 1,600
to 2,200 calories for women and 2,000 to 2,800 calories for men, depending on activity
level. The decrease in physical activity that is typical of older adults also influences nutrition
requirements. The AMDRs for carbohydrates, protein, and fat remain the same from middle
age into old age. Older adults should substitute more unrefined carbohydrates, such as
whole grains, for refined ones. Fiber is especially important in preventing constipation and
diverticulitis, which is more common as people age, and it may also reduce the risk of colon
cancer. Protein should be lean, and healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, are a part of
any good diet.
Micronutrients
The recommended intake levels of several micronutrients are increased in older adulthood,
while others are decreased. A few nutrient changes to note include the following:
• To slow bone loss, the recommendations for calcium increase from 1,000
milligrams per day to 1,200 milligrams per day for both men and women.
• Also to help protect bones, vitamin D recommendations increase from 600 IU to
800 IU per day for men and women.
• Vitamin B 6 recommendations rise to 1.7 milligrams per day for older men and 1.5
milligrams per day for older women to help lower levels of homocysteine and
protect against cardiovascular disease.
• Due to a decrease in the production of stomach acid, which can lead to an
overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and decrease absorption of vitamin
B 12 , older adults need an additional 2.4 micrograms per day of B 12 compared to
younger adults.
• For elderly women, higher iron levels are no longer needed post-menopause, and
recommendations decrease from 18 milligrams per day to 8 milligrams per day.
COMMON HEALTH CONCERNS IN OLDER ADULTS
Older adults may face serious health challenges in their later years, many of which have ties
to nutrition.
• Increased occurrence of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes
• Loss of hormone production, bone density, muscle mass, and strength, as well as
changes in body composition (increase of fat deposits in the abdominal area,
increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease)