It is necessary for seniors to practice proper diet and eating habits, to maintain both their mental and physical health. Eating well can restore your health, lift your mood, and raise your spirits. Keeping a healthy diet, making sure to engage in regular exercise as part of your routine, and engaging in outdoor activities in an atmosphere with plenty of sunlight and oxygen are great ways to improve your general health and overall well-being.
Depriving your body of the well-balanced nutrients that it needs can make your body feel physically and emotionally ill. Diets high in refined sugars can damage the brain and encourage oxidative stress and inflammation. It can also affect the functionality of the brain and exacerbate the symptoms of depression.
Depression is a mental health condition characterized by intense feelings of sorrow and worry, loss of appetite, a generally downcast mood, irregular sleep habits, and a loss of interest in daily activities and things that would normally bring joy or happiness. Without prompt identification of the problem, and swift action of treatment, there can be several negative effects.
While you would naturally anticipate consequences if you’re starving your brain and body of what it needs with poor nutrition, the link between mood, behavior, and good was not widely accepted by the medical community for a long time. When a person is already facing mental health issues, the amount of nutrition they’re getting may not be sufficient. Their mental issues can cause them to make bad eating choices and select foods that further contribute to their symptoms of sadness. Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, antioxidants all boost brain health, and are particularly abundant in many foods and meals. Including these foods in your diet can enhance the function of your brain and thus your mental health.
According to a 2017 study on the relationship between diet and depression, a dietary pattern that was associated with a decreased risk of depression was characterized by high intakes of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy, antioxidants, and a low intake of animal foods, particularly red meat. Diets high in red or processed meat, refined cereals, sweets, high fat dairy, butter, potatoes, and inadequate amounts of fruits and vegetables are associated with higher risk of depression and other mood disorders.
An improper diet can lead to major difficulties in one’s physical health, some of which include obesity, heart disease, and some types of cancer. Heart disease refers to a collection of conditions that all contribute to issues with the circulatory system, and in the United States, is the main cause of death. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco can prevent up to 80% of cases of premature cardiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and 40% of malignancies.
Because of the intimate relationship with the brain, the gastrointestinal tract can also have a role in a person’s mood and health. It is necessary to have a proper diet and balanced nutrition to improve the function of the gastrointestinal system.