As people age, the functions of various organs in the body gradually decline, making them more susceptible to various chronic diseases. Therefore, it is advisable for elderly individuals to have a diet that is low in salt, low in fat, and low in sugar. This is what people commonly refer to as the "three lows" that should be taken into consideration in the diet of the elderly.
Consuming too much low-fat oil can be harmful to the body. A high-fat diet, especially one high in animal fats, is closely related to the development of cardiovascular diseases, gallbladder inflammation, and pancreatitis.
On average, when the daily intake of animal products reaches 150 grams, the amount of oil in the diet should be controlled to around 20 grams. Since elderly individuals have reduced physical activity and therefore consume less fat, they should consume less fat, particularly animal fats. If the diet is mainly vegetarian, a small amount of fat can be added.
Consuming high-sugar foods regularly is more harmful than beneficial for elderly individuals. This is because elderly individuals have lower energy expenditure and their blood sugar regulation function gradually weakens. Regular consumption of sweets and candies can lead to tooth decay, calcium deficiency, weight gain, and an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions.
Salt is the main source of chloride and sodium in the body. However, eating salty foods regularly can cause water retention and increase the amount of blood pumped by the heart, leading to kidney disease and hypertension.
Due to the low level of physical activity and reduced sweating, elderly individuals have lower salt requirements. Therefore, salt intake should be limited to no more than 8 grams per day. For individuals with conditions such as hypertension, nephritis, liver disease, and heart failure, the diet should be even lower in salt, with a recommended daily intake of 2 to 4 grams.
