This document discusses several common health problems that can occur with aging, including cataracts, macular degeneration, arthritis, osteoporosis, bone loss, sarcopenia, Alzheimer's disease, and obesity. Nutrition plays an important role in prevention and management of these conditions, with antioxidants protecting eye health, glucosamine and chondroitin potentially helping arthritis, and calcium, vitamin D, and exercise supporting bone density and fracture prevention. Weight control through diet and exercise can also help maintain physical function in older adults.

1. Health Problems with Aging
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2. Cataracts and Macular Degeneration
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 Cataracts: clouding of lenses of eyes, impairs vision,
can lead to blindness
 Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD): loss of
central vision or blindness related to deterioration of
macular area of eye

3. Nutrition for Cataracts and AMD
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 Oxidants can damage the eye
- pollution, smoking, sunlight
 Antioxidants may protect against
oxidative damage
- Vitamins
- C, E, and beta-carotene
- Phytochemicals
- lutein and zeaxanthin

4. Arthritis
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 Most common form – Osteoarthritis
- joint degeneration, chronic pain, muscle atrophy,
impaired mobility, poor balance
- affects 58-68% age 65+
 Leading cause of functional limitation in older adults
 Risk factors
- excess body weight, genetics, age, ethnicity, gender,
exercise, trauma, bone density

5. Nutrition for Osteoarthritis
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 Control pain, improve function, reduce physical
limitations
 Glucosamine and chondroitin?
- together – probably won’t work
- if it works for you,
do not discontinue
(placebo effect)

6. Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
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 Decrease in bone mass due to decreased bone
mineral density (BMD) and bone matrix
 Increase risk for bone fracture risk
 Almost 44 million Americans over the age of 50
have either osteoporosis or osteopenia

7. Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
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Common areas for bone loss
Hip (femur)
Wrist
Ankle
Lumbar Spine

8. Bone Fracture
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 Usually occur at the hip
 Only 15% able to return
to unassisted ambulation
within 6 months
 Approx. 25% of hip-
fracture patients will die
within 1 year

9. Bone Loss and Aging
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 Manifests in older adults, process begins earlier in
life
Peak Bone Mass

10. Nutrition for Bone Loss and Fractures
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 NO CURE
 Modifiable factors:
- Diet
- Exercise
(weight bearing exercise
and ambulation)

11. Nutrition for Bone Loss and Fractures
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 Calcium
 Vitamin D
 Vitamin K
 Magnesium
 Antioxidants
 Phytoestrogens

12. Sarcopenia
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 Loss of muscle mass with aging
 Results in loss of strength
 May affect up to half of people
over 80 and 1/3 over 60
 Slow or reverse with
- strength training
- optimal diet and protein

13. Alzheimer Disease
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 Most common form of
dementia in US – affects
4.5 million
 Unknown cause,
unknown cure

14. Alzheimer Disease
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 Memory and judgment impaired
- shopping, storing, and cooking food difficult
- may forget to eat or forget they have eaten
 Changes in taste and smell
- may prefer sweet and salty foods
 Agitation increases energy expenditure
- weight loss is common
 Difficulty chewing/forget to chew
- choking
- nutritional support if self-feeding ability is lost

15. Obesity
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 Exacerbates age-related decline in physical function
 Treatment is controversial
- high BMI may help older adults to withstand the
metabolic demands of illness
 To improve physical function
- 500 kcal per day reduction
- adequate vitamins/minerals – may need supp.
- exercise