The Benefits of Eating Eggs for Seniors

By Jamie Shapiro | October 23, 2024 | Comments Off on The Benefits of Eating Eggs for Seniors
Senior home care can help aging seniors eat healthier.

Senior home care can help aging seniors eat healthier.

Maintaining a healthy diet becomes increasingly important in the older years, especially as many seniors begin to deal with muscle loss, decreased bone density, and potentially cognitive decline. With these concerns in mind, senior home care providers can help seniors find new strategies to improve their health each day, including adding eggs to their diets.

Eggs are an adaptable and nutrient-dense food that provides numerous health benefits, making them an excellent addition to any day.

 

Protein-Rich

Protein is essential for preserving muscular mass, which normally decreases with aging. Eggs counterbalance this, as they are a great source of high-quality protein. In fact, one large egg has around six grams of protein, making it an easy way to meet daily protein requirements without turning to more expensive or difficult-to-digest sources such as red meat.

 

Promotes Brain Health

Eggs are high in choline, a vital vitamin associated with better memory and cognitive function. Choline is essential for the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that allows brain cells to communicate. According to research, consuming more choline can reduce the chance of cognitive decline and even the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease. This is significant, as decreased cognitive functioning is a significant concern for many seniors.

Senior home care providers can work with seniors to understand how many eggs they can eat in a day, as well as come up with recipes that seniors can try to see which ones they enjoy most. Additionally, there are many different ways to cook eggs, which also keeps things interesting.

 

Promotes Eye Health

Eye disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts become increasingly common as the years pass by. However, by adding eggs, which include lutein and zeaxanthin—two antioxidants known to protect the eyes from UV light and oxidative stress—seniors have a chance to increase their eye health and avoid these conditions.

 

Promotes Bone Health

Eggs are one of the few natural sources of vitamin D, a mineral required for calcium absorption and bone health. Many seniors, especially those who spend less time outside, may have low vitamin D levels, which can lead to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk. Adding eggs to the diet can help bridge this gap, creating stronger bones and lowering the risk of fracture.

 

Heart Health

Though eggs often get a bad rap for their high cholesterol levels, recent research shows that moderate egg consumption has no substantial influence on heart disease risk for the majority of people. In fact, eggs can actually benefit heart health due to their high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and regulate cholesterol.

 

Adding eggs to their diet is a great way for seniors to improve their nutrition and overall well-being. Eggs are a flexible food that can be readily included in a number of meals, especially with the help of senior home care providers offering suggestions for seniors to try. Since they are rich in critical nutrients that promote muscle, brain, eye, and bone health, including eggs in the diet simply makes sense.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Deerfield, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 948-0860. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette, and the surrounding areas.

 

 

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Jamie Shapiro
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