Most people agree that cheese is delicious and adds an extra touch of tastiness to many meals. It doesn’t matter if you like good old American cheese, funky blue cheese, creamy mozzarella, or salty feta, cheese is delicious. But, did you know that cheese also has some wonderful health benefits, many of which can help your aging loved one feel better and manage some common symptoms of aging? Let’s take a look at why the next time your loved one heads to the grocery store with her home care provider, she might want to consider spending a little more time in the deli section, picking out cheese.
Cheese is an excellent source of calcium
Calcium is not only needed for strong bones (many elderly individuals need to build up bone strength), but calcium also aids in vascular function, nerve transmission, and muscle movement. The bones store that calcium so the body can run itself to its best ability. The body cannot create its own calcium so if your loved one isn’t getting enough, it will take it from the bones to nourish the body, thus weakening the bones. So getting enough calcium every day is important and there’s no better way than cheese!
Calcium is also a great source of protein
Not only will your loved one get her calcium when she eats cheese, she’ll also get her protein. Protein is needed to keep up muscle strength and help your loved one stay independently active. For good protein-packed cheeses, have your home care provider help your loved one pick out and then consume low-moisture cheeses like parmesan. Perhaps there will be some delicious Italian dishes in her future.
Cheese can prevent osteoporosis
As mentioned, with cheese being packed with calcium and protein, it can be great to add to a diet if your loved one has a family history of osteoporosis. While consuming cheese after the age of about 30 cannot undo any bone loss that has already occurred it can help the body stop losing bone mass and creating health issues like brittle bones and osteoporosis.
Cheese can help your loved one add weight
If your aging loved one is underweight and the doctor has recommended she try to add on some weight, cheese is a much better source of calories than a bunch of donuts or candy bars. With its fat and protein content, plus the many vitamins and minerals it contains, cheese is a great choice for healthily gaining weight. Have her home care provider help her find ways to add it to her diet if your loved one needs to gain weight.
Cheese can keep the dentist away
Eating cheese can help reduce the risk of dental cavities for several reasons. It helps to lower the pH balance in the mouth, reducing acid levels that may eat at tooth enamel. It also helps produce saliva, which rinses the mouth out, getting particles away from the teeth and eroding them. And as mentioned about the benefit to bones, teeth are bones so they receive those benefits of calcium as well.
There are so many choices of cheese out there that your loved one will be able to find something delicious to add to her diet and improve her health.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Chandler. AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!
