Not all inflammation is bad in a senior’s body. Inflammation is actually the body’s natural response to injury or infection. It is a protective process that every human has in which the immune system works to remove harmful stimuli, damaged cells, and pathogens from the area of inflammation. However, too much inflammation can cause swelling and pain that makes a senior super uncomfortable, and believe it or not, certain foods can cause inflammation and discomfort. The best way to help break bad eating habits is by hiring companion care at home services to help them.
Food can cause stomach inflammation, and it can be uncomfortable to battle. However, not all seniors know what to eat to remain healthy. They may not even know which foods cause the most inflammation. It may also not be the foods individually but the patterns a senior eats. companion care at home not only provides companionship but can also help a senior create a food diary. A food diary can help a senior notice what and when they eat and how they feel afterward, which is one step towards solving the problem.
Here are some foods that are known to cause excess inflammation in the body and that companion care at home aides can supervise that they avoid.
All Extra Sugar
Sugar can be toxic for the body, but this doesn’t necessarily mean a senior should stop eating fruits and vegetables with natural sugars. Everything from fruit juice to dessert contains refined sugar, a major contributor to chronic inflammation. Know that sugary drinks may include hidden dangers. The main difference between natural sugar from fruit and refined sugars is that raw sugar is found in its original form. In contrast, refined sugars are processed and often contain additional ingredients such as corn syrup and other sweeteners. Natural sugar is generally healthier because it is not as heavily processed, has more nutrients, and can provide additional health benefits such as fiber and antioxidants.
Companion Care at Home can Help them Avoid Unhealthy Fats
These less-than-ideal fat sources, also known as saturated or trans fats, have been linked to age-related diseases, including heart disease and arthritis. The dangers increase when there are excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. If your seniors need fats, it’s time to help them focus on healthy fats. Companion care at home can help them find better foods to eat every day, like salmon, avocados, and nuts! All of these are healthy fats and may help limit inflammation.
Alcohol Can Cause Inflammation
It won’t surprise you to learn that alcohol is another inflammatory trigger. Alcohol can inflame the body because it is metabolized by the liver, which produces toxins as a byproduct. These toxins can cause inflammation in the body, particularly in the digestive tract and liver. Alcohol can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation and pain. It can take a lot of work to reduce drinking in a household, but it can be crucial to encourage your seniors to limit their drinking to expand their lifespan and increase their quality of life.
Processed Meat
Having a box of lunch meat can be a quick and easy snack for a senior, but it isn’t the most healthy. Lunch meat can cause inflammation in the body because it is usually high in sodium and saturated fats. These components of lunch meat can cause inflammation when consumed in large amounts. In addition, some lunch meats may contain preservatives or other additives that can trigger inflammation in the body.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Brookville PA please contact the caring staff at Quality Health Services. Call (814) 251-9044
Quality Health Services is a trusted non-medical senior home care provider in Punxsutawney, Bellefonte, Jefferson, Brockway, Brookville, Clearfield, St Marys, Emporium, Philipsburg, and Dubois PA area.
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