Powerful micronutrients for elders
Joan Sumpio, RND
The first week of October celebrates the Elderly Filipino Week and among the many problems that aged people suffer from are heart disease, diabetes and mental illness.
Many sick elders take as many as at least five different kinds of pills or tablets as maintenance medicines or as supplement to ensure organ functionality. Lucky are elders who need not spend for any single medication (to control disease) or food supplement (to meet his/her daily needs for important nutrients). Ask elders about what vitamin and mineral supplementations they are taking, and maybe (here in the Philippines), no more than two out of 10 will say that they do take supplements with emphasis on the mineral selenium.
In continuation with what I have written the last time, here's another interesting micronutrient, powerful no matter how minute it is in needed amounts - Selenium. This micronutrient does wonders for one’s health especially for the elders. It is an essential mineral found in trace amount in the human body and it works as an antioxidant, especially when combined with Vitamin E, by scavenging damaging particles in the body. These particles occur naturally in the body but can damage cell membranes, and possibly contribute to the aging process as well as the development of a number of conditions including heart disease and cancer.
Selenium is important for the elders because it is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system and for the production of substances that affect blood pressure and inflammation in the body. Low levels of selenium may worsen plaque buildup in arteries which can lead to heart attack and/or stroke and can lead to premature aging for the young adults. Interestingly, Selenium should be considered as a VIP mineral by the elders as this micronutrient can spare them from mental illness that plagues old people.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental problems at a given time. Mental problems are common to all countries and it can cause immense human suffering, social exclusion, disability, and poor quality of life. It affect and are affected by chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes (which may be common among elders). Untreated, they bring about poor health behavior, non-compliance with prescribed medical prescriptions, diminished immune functioning, and negative disease outcomes.
Various types of mental illness that afflict elders are: Depression, Dementia (characterized by memory loss and disorientation), and Alzheimer’s disease (a slow and gradual disease that begins in the part of the brain which controls the memory).
The importance of selenium for elders is that it may help:
- support healthy brain function and decreases risk for degenerative diseases;
- reduce the risk for cataract formation;
- improve cardiovascular health and immune function; and,
- reduce risk for joint disorders (osteoarthritis)
Selenium truly has many powerful effects, being a part of at least 25 proteins with antioxidant properties. This mineral may be found in brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, liver, butter, garlic, egg, fish like halibut, tuna, mackerel, flounder, herring. It is also contained in shellfish like oyster, and lobster and in some nuts (Brazil Nuts); however, refining processing and cooking have an effect on selenium content. It appears obvious that this is one inconvertible case where only supplementation can assure a person of proper levels of the mineral. But because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
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All diabetics are invited to a Lay Forum on October 11, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hospital Conference Room of Metropolitan Medical Center, Masangkay St., Manila. For seat reservations email: mykings012324@yahoo.com.ph
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