Page 57 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, eds. 2018. Zdravje starostnikov ▪︎ Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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ficient omega-3 fatty acid effects on cardiovascular system problemi in izzivi v prehrani starostnikov | nutrition problems and challenges in the elderly
in the elderly
Samo Kotnik, Alja Mikec, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant risk factor. In the
EU alone, they result in over 1.8 million deaths annually (37 %). In 2015, 6.1 mil-
lion new cases were discovered and their total number rose to almost 50 mil-
lion. Diet plays an important role, because when it is unhealthy, it can make the
disease worse. But when it is healthy, diet can act as a protective factor against
cardiovascular diseases. The elderly pose a special challenge, because they rep-
resent an increasingly big part of our population. They also have lower caloric
intake needs, which puts them at a higher risk of malnutrition.
Methods: In this paper, descriptive research method with a critical review of
Slovene and English professional and scientific literature was used. We con-
ducted a meta-analysis, using studies published between 2007 and 2017.
Results: In the elderly, higher consumption of nutraceutics, such as omega-3
fatty acids, seems necessary. The amount of omega-3 fatty acids required to
lower the risk of cardiovascular complications is expected to be at least 0.5 g
higher than the daily recommended amount. Lower food consumption and
consequential need to find the right meal composition therefore represent the
biggest challenges.
Discussion and conclussions: Based on previous research and findings, guide-
lines for further research and sufficient omega-3 consumption among the el-
derly will be presented.
Keywords: health of the elderly, elderly diet, nutraceutics, cardiovascular
disease, omega-3
55
in the elderly
Samo Kotnik, Alja Mikec, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5, 1000
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant risk factor. In the
EU alone, they result in over 1.8 million deaths annually (37 %). In 2015, 6.1 mil-
lion new cases were discovered and their total number rose to almost 50 mil-
lion. Diet plays an important role, because when it is unhealthy, it can make the
disease worse. But when it is healthy, diet can act as a protective factor against
cardiovascular diseases. The elderly pose a special challenge, because they rep-
resent an increasingly big part of our population. They also have lower caloric
intake needs, which puts them at a higher risk of malnutrition.
Methods: In this paper, descriptive research method with a critical review of
Slovene and English professional and scientific literature was used. We con-
ducted a meta-analysis, using studies published between 2007 and 2017.
Results: In the elderly, higher consumption of nutraceutics, such as omega-3
fatty acids, seems necessary. The amount of omega-3 fatty acids required to
lower the risk of cardiovascular complications is expected to be at least 0.5 g
higher than the daily recommended amount. Lower food consumption and
consequential need to find the right meal composition therefore represent the
biggest challenges.
Discussion and conclussions: Based on previous research and findings, guide-
lines for further research and sufficient omega-3 consumption among the el-
derly will be presented.
Keywords: health of the elderly, elderly diet, nutraceutics, cardiovascular
disease, omega-3
55
