To find out more about what concerns you click below:

• Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart Disease
• Constipation
• Food and Medication
• Do You Need Vitamin and Mineral Supplements?

TYPE 2 DIABETES

• Non-insulin dependent diabetes
• About 5% of all Canadians have diabetes but !0% of Canadians over 65 years have diabetes
• Disease in which the body cannot properly store and use food for energy because of a lack of insulin or the body’s inability to use insulin properly

Nutrition is an essential component in managing diabetes

• Increase intake of complex carbohydrates including fibre
• Lower intake of fat
• Moderation in intake of simple sugars

Achieving and maintaining ideal weight and regular exercise are both very important in the management of diabetes

The Canadian Diabetes Association has a new meal planning guide to make it easier for people with diabetes and their families to choose healthier foods:

Beyond the Basics: Meal Planning for Healthy Eating

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DIET AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High Blood Pressure is linked to:

• high salt diet
• being overweight

To prevent or reduce high blood pressure:

• Cut back the salt in your diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
• Don’t smoke

Even with all these preventive measures, blood pressure drugs may still be necessary.

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HEART DISEASE- SOME FACTS

• 25%-40% of seniors in North America report having heart disease
• Leading cause of death for men and women
• Of those with heart disease:
  • 30%-37% have high blood pressure
  • up to 70% have high blood cholesterol
  • 30% are overweight
  • 10% have diabetes

Proper nutrition can improve the management of heart disease

Dietary recommendations:

• reduce fat especially saturated fat
• increase dietary fibre
• increase food rich in antioxidants
• limit sodium
• control weight

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HOW TO PREVENT CONSTIPATION

• Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily
• Eat food that are high in fibre:
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grain breads and cereals
  • Brown rice
  • Dried peas, beans and lentils
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Dried fruits

Add these foods gradually to your diet to avoid diarrhea, bloating, gas.

Note: If you are taking an iron supplement don’t eat large amount of bran. The bran binds to the iron and it is excreted before absorption.

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FOOD AND MEDICATIONS

Fact: Food and medications interact

Fact: 65% of seniors use more than one prescription drug on a daily basis

Clashes between a food and a medication can:

1. Cause nutrient deficiencies
2. Cause nutrient deficiencies
3. Cause nutrient excesses
4. Alter drug absorption
5. Alter drug action

The Bottom Line:

Always follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s directions about:

1. The best time to take the medication.
2. What foods or beverages (including alcohol) to avoid.

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ARE VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS NECESSARY?

Best Way

• A healthy diet
• Wide variety
• Nutrient dense foods

In some circumstances vitamin and mineral supplements may be necessary.

• Some chronic disease conditions
• Prescription drugs
• Frail elders in institutions
• Problems with food intake

Supplements can be

• Expensive
• Harmful

Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.

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