I. Current Status of Geriatric Chronic Diseases and Nutritional Links

📊 High-Prevalence Diseases and Dietary Triggers

Chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are strongly linked to long-term consumption of high-salt, high-fat, and high-sugar diets.

Pro-inflammatory diets (high in processed foods, low in fiber) promote metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation, accelerating vascular and organ damage.

Data:

• 78% of Chinese adults aged ≥60 have at least one chronic disease

• 41% are at risk of malnutrition

This represents a dual burden of “nutrition-chronic disease”

🔻 Age-Related Nutritional Metabolism Decline

• Gastrointestinal absorption declines by 50–60% with age

• Basal metabolic rate drops by 3–5% per decade

• Over 70% of older adults experience drug-nutrient interactions, exacerbating nutritional imbalances

II. Key Nutritional Needs and Dietary Principles for Older Adults

🥚 Core Nutrient Supplementation

• Protein:

  • ≥65g/day (men), ≥55g/day (women)

  • Focus on meat, eggs, dairy, and soy to prevent sarcopenia

• Vitamin B12:

  • Prevents anemia and glossitis

  • Sources: animal liver, fish

• Vitamin D:

  • Fortified milk, eggs, and sun exposure reduce osteoporosis risk

• Dietary Fiber:

  • Whole grains (e.g., oats, brown rice) reduce diabetes and colon cancer risk by 21–24%

🥗 Practical Balanced Diet Guidelines

• Food Diversity:

  • 300g dark leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, purple cabbage)

  • 200g fruit

  • Alternate red/white meat

  • 300–400ml dairy

• Energy Structure Optimization:

  • Limit fat to ≤30% of energy intake (currently ~33%)

  • Emphasize whole grains for 50–65% of carb intake

• Special Needs:

  • Lactose intolerance: replace milk with yogurt or cheese

  • Swallowing difficulties: use microencapsulated supplements

III. Nutritional Interventions for Key Chronic Diseases

🩺 Diabetes

• Glycemic Control:

  • Corn silk tea helps lower blood sugar

  • Replace refined grains with mixed grains (e.g., quinoa, black rice)

  • Avoid high-GI fruits like lychee

• Meal Sequence Tips:

  • Eat 10 raw peanuts before meals for satiety

  • Eat pears 1 hour after meals to aid detoxification

❤️ Cardiovascular Diseases

• Vascular Protection:

  • Daily: vinegar-soaked peanuts (soften vessels)

  • Weekly: omega-3-rich seafood (e.g., salmon)

• Salt Reduction:

  • Replace salt with natural umami sources (e.g., celery, mushrooms)

  • Sodium intake <1500mg/day

🦴 Osteoporosis & Sarcopenia

• Calcium Synergy:

  • Combine dairy with tofu

  • Add vitamin K2 (e.g., natto, leafy greens) for better calcium absorption

• Exercise + Protein:

  • Take 20g whey protein within 30 minutes post-resistance training to support muscle synthesis