We make eye care a pleasant experience.
But YOU need to make the call.

mic

ment for each patient, we scan the total
body for information about bone loss
as well as loss of muscle and soft tissue,
says Dr. Jesse Krakauer of the
Beaumont Hospital Nutritional
Medicine Center in Birmingham.
"These losses are directly related to diet
because aging causes a few changes in
the gastrointestinal system that decreas-
es the ability to absorb most nutrients.
"For instance, people in their 50s
and 60s generally take up dietary fats as
efficiently as younger adults, and their
ability to break down carbohydrates
declines only slightly. However, older
adults do experience a declitinal
absorption of some vitamins.
"Mineral requirements may also
shift as hormone levels, metabolism,
and gastrointestinal function change
with time. What's more, chronic condi-
tions such as diabetes, hypertension, or
intestinal ailments can change a per-
son's ability to digest certain foods.
"Taking four or five prescription
pills at mealtime and two or three over-
the-counter medications has an impact
on how the body absorbs nutrients."
Merle Kopple of Southfield smoked
for 35 years, quit, went through
menopause and gained 40 pounds.
"I wasn't paying attention, and when
I realized what had happened I knew I
needed help," says Kopple. "I met with
r- a nutritionist who helped me work out
what I had to do; the desire to change
had to come from me.
"I lost weight and, more important-
ly, changed my life style. You should
see me at a market now, flipping those
packages, reading the ingredients, and
putting the packages back if there's too
much fat or too much salt."
Proper nutrition is a major factor in
good health for people of any age, but
elderly individuals tend to be at a dis-
proportionate risk of poor nutrition
that adversely affects their health. For
instance, sometimes the symptoms of
malnutrition, such as weight loss, light-
headedness, lethargy and loss of
appetite, are diagnosed as illness and
what the patients really need is to eat
better.
"It's not unusual to find a loss of
interest and appetite in people in their
70s and 80s," explains Dr. David
Rosenberg of West Bloomfield. "The
problem is that a person's requirement
for many nutrients doesn't diminish
along with their decreased appetites.

"And in some cases, the need for
nutrients may increase with age such as
the need for folic acid in which a defi-
ciency may result in dementia and
memory problems.
"Aging also alters the body's need for
other nutrients such as vitamin D and
calcium that usually aren't met without
conscious changes in the diet."
He said deficits in taste and smell
also reduce the pleasure of eating and
having ill-fitting dentures makes it
uncomfortable to chew. Then there are
those elderly on special diets because of
chronic medical problems and they
may require a low-sodium or a low-
calorie diet which means additional
effort to prepare meals. In addition,
the average person over 65 takes three
or more different drugs daily and the
side effects can alter the sense of taste
caused by the bitterness of the drugs.
Family members need to look in on
their older relatives to ensure that the
older person is eating adequately or
even prepare the foods for them.
The consensus is that while no
nutrition guidelines can guarantee per-
fect health, those who follow the broad
nutritional recommendations give
themselves a good foundation for
health. ❑

*t1,16.;N*k.-

CENTER FOR EYE CARE. P.C.

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

Frank N. Derr, M.D. • Thomas I. Millman, M.D.

1-800-652-EYES

Comprehensive eye exams
"Suterless" cataract surgery
Diabetic, Laser and Glaucoma surgery
Outpatient surgery center
Eyelid surgery
Surgery for Myopia and Astigmatism —
RKIPRKILASIK
• COMPLETE OPTICAL SERVICES

•
•
•
•
•
•

ROCHESTER HILLS • (248) 852-3636

11
.

RUNNINIT
& West Bloomfield
Communtiy ED

RUNNING 101

mason IBM= MEWS

CLASS FOR THE
BEGINNING
RUNNER

✓ 6 INFORMATIVE

SESSIONS ON TRAINING ,
INJURY PREVENTION,
SHOES, CLOTHING,
STRETCHING, FORM &
SO MUCH MORE!
✓ MEET FELLOW
NOVICE
RUNNERS
V GET IN
SHAPE
FOR
SPRING
✓ START A
PROGRAM FOR LIFE

Healthy Eating

Beverly Price, a registered dieti-
cian, says that the key to healthy
eating is balance, variety and
moderation regardless of age.
"The trick is to eat a variety of
foods without getting too many
calories or too much of any one
nutrient," says Price. A few sug-
gestions are:
* Eat plenty of whole grains,
fruits and vegetables.
* Increase your fiber intake; do
it gradually because a sudden
increase can lead to discomfort.
* Maintain a healthy weight;
excess weight increases your
chances for high blood pressure,
heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
* Keep portion sizes reasonable
and eat regular meals.
* Know your diet pitfalls and
make changes gradually.
* Drink lots of water --- eight
cups a day.

MILLMAN-D ERR

WINTER TERM

STARTS 7:30 PM

Wed. JAN. 21, 1998 at

v L ti Ft

•

Community ED
6000 Orchard Lk. Rd.
CALL 248-626-5451

FOR INFORMATION

http://www.apin.com/runfit

elz
c a i c :R A e tvI40 ws st i • t t

12/26
1997

L11