As people age, their body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients from food becomes less efficient. Aging can also affect appetite, and a lack of access to healthy meals may prevent maintaining a varied diet or can force a person to skip meals altogether. In addition, certain medications or restrictive health issues may impact the body’s natural processes or limit vitamin absorption.

Symptoms of mild vitamin deficiencies in seniors include anemia, cognitive impairment, an increased tendency for developing infections and poor wound healing. Severe vitamin deficiencies can even lead to irreversible organ damage.

Seniors in particular should be aware of certain vitamins because of their benefits and because of their common deficiencies. Understanding vitamins and their contributions to a healthy wellbeing will contribute to overall health and wellness.

The most common vitamin deficiencies in seniors are:
•    Vitamin A – necessary for healthy immune system and helps fights cancer
•    Vitamin B12 – low levels can lead to reversible dementia
•    Vitamin C – necessary for antioxidants important for wound healing
•    Vitamin D – low levels cause lower bone density and bone pain

It is important to eat nutrient-dense, healthy meals. These foods include:
•    fruits and vegetables
•    whole grains
•    low-fat or fat-free dairy products
•    seafood, lean poultry and meats, beans, eggs, unsalted nuts
•    limit consumption of solid fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars

Dr. Baldoceda is the medical director of PCC South Family Health Center in Berwyn. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine in 2001. She is board certified in Family Medicine and has over 12 years of medical experience.

The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.

The event is free and open to the public. And it’s not called “Breakfast with the Docs” for nothing: participants who attend will also be served a healthy breakfast.

For more information, or to reserve a seat, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040.