First off, we want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Embrace 2011 with a sincere commitment to a healthier lifestyle – you’ll appreciate the benefits!
Now, here’s the article:
The older you get, the slower your metabolism. This a general rule for everyone (of course you may be the exception). Because your metabolism slows down, you also won’t need to eat as much because you won’t be burning as many calories, and you’ll probably also won’t be as active as you once were (though we hope you’ll maintain your fitness levels!).
If you’re a senior in your late sixties or above, you only need about 10% less calories than someone who’s younger, let’s say in their thirties. The Washington-based U.S. Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences says that while 1,800 calories is ideal for a sedentary 31 year old woman, a 70 year old who leads a sedentary lifestyle only requires about 1,600 calories – a 200 calorie decrease to compensate for a slower metabolism. It is best to reduce the amount of food you eat not by skipping meals, but to just eat smaller portions and cut out snacking or beverages that contain a lot of fat or sugar.
But decreasing your caloric intake is not the only thing you should do to prevent an increase in fatty tissue and maintain good health in your latter years. Dietitians recommend that while you may have to eat less, you’ll have to eat more nutritious food, including sources of Vitamin D. Levels of Vitamin D in the body tend to dwindle with age, and lower levels have been found to be a potential factor contributing to the development of cancer in such areas as the breast and prostate.
You can boost Vitamin D levels by taking a daily supplement or multivitamin. However, before you commit to any changes to your diet or start taking supplements, everyone should talk to a medical professional.
