Getting More B12 Into Your Senior’s Diet

Vitamin B12, commonly known as cyanocobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin required for optimal adrenal gland function, nerve tissue health, and red blood cell synthesis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 31 persons over the age of 51 had inadequate vitamin B12 levels, according to the results of a 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. More than 5% of people over 65 are also affected by the deficit. Vitamin B12 is especially essential for older persons since the body’s absorption of the mineral decreases with age.

Seniors might acquire dietary deficits and other major health problems as they age. Maintaining a good quality of life might be difficult for some seniors, but senior home care can assist them in accomplishing this aim. Families may rely on senior home care professionals to assist their elderly loved ones in making lifestyle choices that will boost their chances of living a longer and healthier life.

Understanding Vitamin B Deficiency

Seniors with insufficient vitamin B12 levels might develop pernicious anemia, which causes inexplicable tiredness, fast heart rate, joint discomfort, and trouble breathing. Memory loss and other cognitive impairment symptoms are typical in B12-deficient elderly and may be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s or mental illness. Confusion and despair are common cognitive symptoms, as are hallucinations and paranoia. Other symptoms include numbness or tingling in the limbs, loss of muscular coordination, an inflamed and swollen tongue, and jaundice. Although symptoms may be mild at first, they might worsen with time and cause the deficit to worsen. Here are some ways senior home care can help to get more vitamin B in a senior’s diet.

Dairy Products Can Be Added to a Senior’s Diet

A bowl of fortified cereal is a simple method to receive B12. Whole-grain products often provide 25 to 100% of the daily minimum intake. Adding low-fat milk, skim milk, or yogurt to dry cereal boosts the B12 content by 15 to 20%. Another fantastic way to obtain nutrition is by consuming a couple of eggs and a dairy product.

Consume More Lean Meats

Vitamin B12 is abundant in lean meat. As an alternative, consider buffalo meat. Buffalo meat is naturally reduced in calories, saturated fat, and total fat content, while still supplying heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids to seniors. Organic grass-fed beef is another rich source of B12.

Seafood Can be Added Into Meals

Four to five ounces of salmon, sardines, or trout in a lunch or dinner meal is an excellent approach to increasing B12 levels. Clams are an additional option. Three ounces of clams provide 100 percent of the necessary dose of the vitamin, as well as iron, selenium, zinc, and protein.

Adding Nutritional Yeast On Foods

Vegans, vegetarians, and seniors who do not consume red meat can consider adding nutritional yeast to their diets. To increase daily consumption, add one tablespoon to casseroles or other meals. Although certain plant foods include trace levels of vitamin B12, nutritional yeast is a superior source.

When In Doubt, Check with Their Doctor About Supplements

Vitamin B12, folic acid, and other B vitamins are often included in over-the-counter multivitamins. When inserted beneath the tongue, sublingual vitamins dissolve. Seniors with severe deficits are often administered vitamin B12 injections as a supplement. Other medication alternatives include vitamin-containing nasal gels.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-vitamin-b12-dosage-for-older-adults

If you or an aging loved one is considering senior home care in Queens Creek, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!