Getting a proper diet is not always easy. And for older adults, this is especially true. You may not be as active as you were when you were younger, so you may need fewer calories. Yet research shows that older people need some important nutrients, such as B vitamins and calcium.
Unfortunately, malnutrition and malnutrition can persist for a long time before they manifest in physical signs or symptoms. Still, there are some signs you — and your doctor — can watch for.
Fatigue is a common side effect of iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, indicated by low levels of red blood cells. Anemia can also manifest as abnormal paleness. But remember: Other conditions can cause extreme fatigue, including heart disease, depression, or thyroid disease.
It is wise to alert your doctor if you feel unusually weak or tired. Your doctor may recommend supplements if you have anemia.
Hair, which is composed mostly of protein, serves as a useful diagnostic marker for nutritional deficiencies.
“When an older person’s hair starts to look thin, dry, and brittle, it’s often a sign that their diet is inadequate,” says Kathleen Niedert, RD, director of Clinical Nutrition and Dining Services in Iowa. For Western housing communities.
Brittle hair can indicate a deficiency of essential fatty acids, protein, iron and other nutrients. Some hair loss is normal with age. But if the hair begins to fall at an abnormal rate, it may be due to lack of nutrition. Once your doctor identifies deficiencies, you can treat them with nutrient-dense foods and supplements.
Like hair, nails act as an early warning sign of an inadequate diet. A spoon-shaped nail, in which the nail pulls up from the nail bed like a spoon (a condition called kolonychia) may indicate iron-deficiency anemia.
If you have iron-deficiency anemia, your doctor may recommend iron pills and iron-rich foods, such as liver and shellfish such as clams, oysters, and mussels.
Cracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth (a condition called angular cheilitis) can be a warning sign of either riboflavin (B2) deficiency or iron deficiency. An unusually pale or swollen tongue is a warning sign of an iron or B-vitamin deficiency. A condition called burning mouth syndrome, which continues to puzzle researchers, can occur when levels of iron, zinc, or B-vitamins fall below desired levels.
Again, once you’ve confirmed your specific nutrient deficiencies, they can be treated with nutrient-dense foods and supplements.
Chronic diarrhea can be a sign of malabsorption, which means that nutrients are not being fully absorbed by your body. Malabsorption can be caused by infections, surgery, certain drugs, heavy alcohol use, and digestive disorders such as celiac sprue and Crohn’s disease.
It is important to consult your doctor if you have persistent diarrhea.
Unexpected mood changes, especially feeling listless or irritable, can be symptoms of a serious medical condition like depression. But they can also be signs that your body isn’t getting the energy it needs.
If you have persistent low mood or forgetfulness, it is important to get checked out by your doctor.
With age, appetite often decreases. The taste buds lose their sensitivity. If you are also being less active, you may need fewer calories. Some medications can also reduce appetite.
“Persistent hunger is a serious warning sign that you may be at risk of malnutrition,” says Nancy Wellman, RD, past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. There are many causes of loss of appetite as you age including serious illness, depression, certain medications, and dementia. If you’re looking to skip meals because you’re not hungry, talk to your doctor.
Blood tests can show that you are deficient in a number of important nutrients. By reviewing your food intake, a registered dietitian can also detect nutrient deficiencies.
“The important thing is to alert your doctor quickly if your appetite changes or you start skipping meals,” Wellman says. That way, you can address nutritional problems before they cause serious trouble.