With the advances of technology in every area, especially in medicine, the result is that we live longer healthier lives. Communication and information has made it possible for people to learn more about healthy habits, and ways to care about their health and body in order to live longer. These days, forty is the new 30s and 60s the new 50s. It is not uncommon to see many healthy and active seniors past their 60s, and enjoying life to the fullest.

A new industry caters to these seniors, including the travel industry. Seniors are enjoying retirement and traveling all over, the world is one way in which they do this. Many travel tours for seniors are available to many destinations, domestic and international, including cruises.

Although some seniors travel in groups and create their own discount packages through travel agencies, many decide to sign up for travel tours that specialize in senior tours. The senior of today, might view traveling in a more youthful way than other previous generations. This is due to technological advances, and the many opportunities that they offer this generation in particular. While other past generations of seniors may have not embraced technology, today’s seniors do, and take advantage of what it has to offer them, especially in the travel sense. The fifty something’s of today will become the seniors of tomorrow, and this generation has already embraced advanced technology as a normal part of daily living. It is expected that tomorrow seniors will be more self-sufficient and a more technology-friendly crowd.

Some of the companies that cater to seniors and specialize in creating packages for them are YMT Vacations, Elder Hostel, Saga Holidays, and Grand Circle Travel. These companies offer travel tours locally by land or international tours as well. For the senior that wants to book a package with a company that specializes in that area, and has experience booking senior tours, these companies offer a good alternative to regular travel agencies.

Many travel tours will be scheduled during off season months, extended vacations, educational institutions, and escorted tours, by land, air, or bus. Many of these agencies have been around for long length of time, serving the senior clientele. Many new agencies are surging.

Seniors make a big percentage of the traveling customers today. Soon, more and more agencies will start realizing this important fact and catering to senior groups with special packages. With the boomers generation retiring, an increased number of seniors will determine much of the future of the travel industry, and many other industries as well.

Many agencies are waking up to this reality of the new active senior and already offering exciting packages such as Borneo trips, expeditions to Cuba, Africa, Arctic adventures, trips to Europe, the Bahamas, walking tours to Europe or different North American regions, and group activities which include cycling tours, hiking, and other activities. There are many websites geared to senior travel tours with information on different packages, exotic destinations, and other valuable information. There are even packages for adventurous seniors who like to travel alone. Eco traveling is becoming popular even in the senior sector – some places that are popular amongst seniors are Asia, South America, Australia, Africa, and Central America.

For more information on travel tours, visit http://cityguidetours.com/.

This Vitamins for Seniors article is intended to provide seniors with the information they need to make educated vitamin choices possible. There are a lot of choices out there yet many lack the necessary information they need to good supplement choices. Seniors even more than others need to supplement their diet as they run the real risk of real inadequate nutrition.

As the body grows older, it needs even more life-giving vitamins to ward off disease, fight illness, as well as daily repair and maintenance.

That’s one of the reasons why we wrote this vitamins for seniors page. Health professionals have proclaimed many seniors lack adequate nutrition by not eating as healthy as they should, but many also lack good digestion and assimilation.

Many also take too many prescription medications that demand much of the body often with terrible side effects. Many seniors live alone and make dietary compromises as well and the end result: nutritional deficiencies. That is why vitamins for seniors is so vital. The older you get, the more important nutrition becomes.

Can Vitamins Really Help Seniors?

To answer the question in the subheading, yes — vitamins can help seniors IF they are taking assimilable vitamins and that is the key. Vitamins for seniors are especially critical as the older we become, the less efficient the body becomes. The senior needs vitamins not just for maintenance, but to strengthen his or her body’s regenerative efforts for metabolism but also for daily energy. Also, the limited amounts of vitamins researchers say contributes to illness and degenerative diseases.

Vitamin K, for example, has been found to exist in low levels in Alzheimer’s patients. Seniors need all vitamins but are there some vitamins that are more important? Yes and no. Seniors need all vitamins, which is why good supplementation is so critical to their daily diet. Some particular vitamins and minerals that are crucial are: Vitamins E, D, C, calcium, zinc, and the B vitamin complex.

Vitamins E, D, and C are known and powerful antioxidants, which antioxidants prevent free radical damage that lead to disease and aging. (Vitamin D isn’t as powerful as C and E, but it’s potent nonetheless.)

What Are The Best Vitamins for Seniors

Let’s take the premise of “what are the best vitamins for seniors” a step further. Needless to say, senior health issues are different than those for the younger set. Seniors need good digestive health, good basic energy levels, good brain function, and good eyesight adequate enough to have a basic healthy life notwithstanding their diminished capacity due to age. Vitamins for seniors is important, but vitamins and minerals, though important, cannot do that alone.

There are some superstar nutrients that we’d like to discuss now to help educate you in your quest for better health. Of course, other factors are a part of good health such as diet and exercise, but nutritional adequacy is vital — that is the basic point of this vitamins for seniors page.

Specialty Compounds for Seniors

When selecting an alternative nutritional supplement, look for specific compounds that are very powerful antioxidant substances. This is important for seniors. Remember, not all antioxidants have equal value. Yes, vitamins C and E are needed and you should take them daily, but there are also carotenoids like beta-carotene, selenium, bioflavonoids like quercitin (sometimes spelled quercetin) and hesperidin.

These can be supplied by a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, but there are lesser known antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, Gingko Biloba, Green Tea , L-Carnosine, N-Acetyl Cysteine, and Resveratrol. Let’s discuss them one at a time now. First, the basics — Vitamin D, E, and K before we talk about the special nutrients alluded to (these are, by the way, key vitamins for seniors).

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often called the “sunlight vitamin” as it’s produced by the body when the sun’s ultraviolet rays hit the skin. It also has the distinction of being the only vitamin the body actually manufactures. It is also a fat-soluble vitamin essential for good teeth and bone health. It also helps to strengthen the immune system. The elderly don’t usually get enough Vitamin D. Seniors between the age of 50 and 70 need 400 IU (international units) of it per day. If you’re over 70, 600 IU per day.

Vitamin K

Seniors usually lack Vitamin K. It is essential for blood clotting and helps maintain and even enhance bone density. It plays a key role in preventing osteoporosis. We mentioned before that Alzhemier’s disease and Vitamin K studies show have a common link — Vitamin K levels are lower in carriers of the APOE4 gene, the gene that is a risk factor in Alzheimer’s. Though not a antioxidant per se, it does prevent cell death. RDA for Vitamin K is 120 micrograms per day for senior men, 90 micrograms for senior women.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is essential to good senior health. It is a fat soluble vitamin that has potent antioxidant properties thus preventing the oxidation of the fatty acids in the membranes of all cells. It slows aging. (Entertainer Bob Hope gave vitamin E credit for allowing him to live such a long life.) The RDA (Recommended international units (IU) for an adult is 22 IU (or about 15 mgs).

There are times when megadoses are given though when digestive mal absorption doesn’t occurs. This can range from 100 IU to 200. The dosage prescribed for protection against coronary disease ranges from 400 to 800 IU per day. If you have any questions as to what you need and if you’re aren’t sure, consult with your doctor. Let’s discuss now those Superstar Nutrients.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid benefits include not just antioxidant capability, but it also helps the B vitamins produce more energy from proteins, carbs, and fats. This is one of the unknown yet very capable vitamins for seniors you should know about. Studies also show alpha-lipoic acid supplements help prevent complications from diabetes but it also helps in the treatment of many diversified health issues including, glaucoma, even liver problems cirrhosis — HIV infection. It helps slow aging– something of interest to all, including seniors.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is another popular memory enhancer that finds its way in a myriad of memory supplements or memory pills. As with Gingko Biloba, the authors can personally testify as to its efficacy. Due to its capability to enhance memory and as a nerve tonic, among other capabilities, Gotu Kola has been called “food for the brain.” Interestingly enough, Gotu Kola is a favorite food among elephants perhaps explaining the saying, “A memory like an elephant.”

Gingko Biloba

A Vitamins for Seniors web page wouldn’t be complete without mention of Ginkgo Biloba. Gingko Biloba comes from a tree species that is literally one of the oldest trees on earth. This powerful antioxidant helps improve circulation, fights coronary disease, and helps improve and correct brain-centered activity by improving oxygen levels in the brain. It even helps in eliminating impotence and in lessening the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. For good effect, take 30 to 60 mg twice a day.

Green Tea Extract

Green Tea possesses powerful antioxidants called polyphenols that studies suggest are even more potent than vitamins C and E to destroy cancer-causing free radicals. This is one of the most potent vitamins for seniors or foods in the world, in our opinion. Among its many therapeutic benefits, Green Tea has also been shown to have very promising results regarding preventing prostate cancer. A study conducted by the respected Mayo Clinic found that “the main polyphenol in Green Tea, which is EGCG, inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells and in high concentrations destroys them.” Its affects don’t apply only to men. In a study reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology July 1996, a study of 35,000 post-menopausal Iowa women showed that those “who drank two or ore cups of tea daily were less likely to develop cancers of the urinary or digestive tract.” Look for 25 to 100 mg of green tea extract for best effect.

L-Carnosine

Carnosine is an active antioxidant antiaging substance that is produced by the body by the enzyme carnosine synthetase. It supports cellular rejuvenation by working on both glycosylation and free radical damage. Glycosylation is the oxidation of proteins by glucose (blood sugar) that results in the cross linking of proteins that are in turn implicated in the loss of cell function, genome integrity and aging. Look for a supplement that has 50 to 150 mg of it for optimum effect.

N-Acetyl Cysteine

N-Acetylcysteine has shown the ability in clinical studies to actually improve the autoimmune system while simultaneously preventing cellular damage and thus aging. It also is a potent protector to environmental toxins like secondhand cigarette smoke, herbicides, even some chemicals. It is a powerful oxidant when taken at the 35 to 150 mg recommended level.

Resveratrol

Found in red wine and grape juice (among other sources), Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that studies have shown eliminates free radical damage linked to many cancers. It also has robust anti-inflammatory properties. Regarding its anti-cancer capability, it actually combats cancer at all three steps: initiation, promotion, and progression.

Resveratrol also possesses remarkable cholesterol lowering ability. Its antioxidant properties also has the ability to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). Lastly, look for a supplement that has 25 to 40 mgs of it for best effect.

Tips on The Best Vitamins for Seniors

Vitamin supplementation for seniors is a necessity, not a luxury. Choosing a multivitamin, the best multivitamin, is difficult. So many claim their product is superior yet dietary supplement fraud is rampant. Literally 1 in 5 supplement manufacturers don’t even have the proclaimed ingredients on the label in the supplement! Furthermore, the threat of contaminants is real.

Key Tips on Selecting the Best Vitamins for Seniors

1. The supplements should be produced at pharmaceutical standard GMP registered facilities. Facilities that are GMP registered comply with the most rigid standards so as to minimize the possibility of product contaminants. (These are the same standards pharmaceutical companies in the United States are required to operate under as mandated by the FDA.)

Nutritional supplements are not regulated by FDA and as such fraud is rampant with many so-called supplements containing contaminants with 1 in 5 not having the ingredients as proclaimed on the label!

2. Ensure the supplement manufacturer has a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on file for review by you the customer thus confirming the potency of the herbal ingredients listed on the label.

3. Look for vitamin tablets that have enteric coating. Enteric coating ensures the safety of the tablet while in the stomach so it’s not destroyed by stomach acids. Enteric coating preserves the ingredients until they pass into the upper intestine where they are then assimilated into the blood stream.

4. Vitamins for seniors that have herbal compounds should be contain standardized herbal extracts. Standardized extracts contain the active ingredients, the potency, of the herb.

It’s expensive to do this, which is why most vitamin makers don’t do this. By selecting vitamins for seniors that meet this criteria, you’re ensuring you’re getting high quality, pharmaceutical grade vitamins– the best vitamins for seniors.

About The Author:
Glenn Reschke is the webmaster of Cayenne Pepper and Heart Health Info, Vitamins for Seniors, and Online Education Guide and Review

Healthy eating, whether as a child or senior citizen is a vital part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Your nutritional needs are pretty much the same at 40, 50, 60 and beyond as they were when you were younger–with some minor variations. As we grow older, our bodies becomes less forgiving, and we will have to make more of an effort to eat well and stay fit.

Here are 5 Dietary Requirements for Senior Citizens:

1. Exercise:
Studies of the elderly indicate that current weight, rather than age, determined energy intake in men and women. The study suggests that changes in lifestyle, not age, resulted in the dietary changes seen in the healthy elderly survey. As you mature, your body will loose muscle mass, decreasing your metabolic rate, which in turn burns fewer calories at a slower rate. A great way to maintain control of your maturing body is to exercise regularly and eat healthy meals in moderation.

2. Eat More Fiber:
Maintaining a regular cycle of all systems in our bodies is very important. Fiber helps maintain regularity to prevent constipation and gastrointestinal diseases like divertculosis (pouches that cause spasm or cramping in the large intestines). You may also want to be extremely selective in your diet and not include gaseous foods.

3. Eat More Calcium:
Around 40 years old, our bones start to lose more minerals quicker than it can replace them. For women, menopause causes a drop in estrogen levels, estrogen helps bones maintain calcium. Menopause is responsible for a greater loss of calcium than in men. You should discuss with your physician a dietary supplement to ensure you are properly maintaining your body.

4. Water:
Water is essential from birth throughout life. It is critical to health-and is chronically overlooked. Second only to air in its steady and relentless necessity, H2O carries nutrients to cells; aids digestion by contributing to stomach secretions; flushes bodily wastes and reduces risk of kidney stones by diluting salts in the urine; ensures healthy function of moisture-rich organs (skin, eyes, mouth, nose); lubricates and cushions joints; regulates body temperature; and protects against heat exhaustion through perspiration. And the list goes on and on. Everybody should consume the minimum eight glasses of water daily to maintain our youthful vigor and pep.

5. Avoid Foods With Too Much Sugar:
Too much sugar causes a number of problems- it suppresses the immune system, weakens eyesight, contributes to obesity and diabetes, causes constipation, leads to all different types of cancers, and the list goes on and on about the effects of sugar intake. Young and old should never binge on sugar.

Eating well can make us feel a lot better. It gives us more energy – and it can actually help slow down the aging process!

Assisted Living New York

http://LakeShoreLI.com/

The Lake Shore Assisted Living Facility, located on beautiful Lake Ronkonkoma in Long Island, New York has been providing seniors with assisted living care, delicious dining, friendly services and award-winning recreational programs for many years.

Submitted by Christine at NewSunSEO Inc.
http://NewSunSEO.com

It would be nice to think that as we get older we become wiser, and so make better food choices for ourselves. After so many years of exposure to information about eating a nutritionally balanced diet, you’d think that we’d know all about how to prepare healthy meals, and that we’d have had plenty of practice doing so.

Sadly, however, that’s not always the case. This means that many seniors don’t get the vitamins and minerals they need to help their aging bodies fight off the onset of various debilitating conditions, or the signs of aging. Bodies become less efficient as we age, and they so they don’t do as good a job of processing nutrients. A lot of seniors also tend to get ill more easily, and so often take a lot more medications than other age groups. These medications can also reduce the body’s ability to break down nutrients.

It’s common for seniors to live along, and it can seem like a big effort to make a meal at all, let alone prepare a nutritionally balanced meal. It’s also true that many seniors don’t do any moderate exercise regularly, which helps compound the problem. So it’s hardly surprising that many seniors exhibit vitamin deficiency symptoms. Despite our highly advanced society, many of our seniors are classified as undernourished.

Vitamin D is extremely important for growing children, but it’s just as important for seniors. Vitamin D assists the body to absorb calcium, which is necessary for healthy bones. If the body doesn’t have enough calcium, bones loss their mass, which causes them to become brittle. Osteoporosis can be the result. Not enough seniors consume sufficient dairy products daily to make sure they get enough Vitamin D.

Free radicals, which cause oxidation damage, are another big problem for seniors. Free radicals are unstable molecules that, if left unchecked, rampage throughout the body and destroy healthy cells. This causes oxidation damage, which is very similar to the process that causes cars to develop rust. The best way to neutralize free radicals is with antioxidants. They also reduce the amount of damage the free radicals can cause. Some of the best sources of antioxidants are fruit and vegetables. The good thing about eating lots of fruits and vegetables is that you also consume beta-carotenes and other important vitamins including Vitamins A, C and E. Far too many seniors don’t consume the recommended daily allowances of these vitamins.

As more healthy cells are damaged, the body’s resistance is reduced, and the risk of developing serious conditions such as heart disease, some cancers, arthritis, cataracts, and Parkinson’s Disease, to name a few, is much higher. The immune system also relies on antioxidants to function properly. The skin loses its elasticity as healthy skin cells break down, leading to wrinkles and an older appearance.

Vitamin K is another important requirement, as it keeps the body’s blood clotting mechanism working correctly. It’s also believed that a lack of Vitamin K may be linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Most people don’t realize just how many conditions can be caused or made worse by vitamin deficiencies. It’s important for everybody, no matter how old they are, to understand just how important vitamins and minerals are in maintaining good health. If you don’t believe you’re getting an adequate supply of nutrients from your diet, for whatever reason, then it might be a good idea to use a daily multivitamin supplement. There are supplements specifically designed for seniors, so make sure you choose one that is formulated to cater to the changing dietary needs of seniors.

For more important information on vitamins and nutrition including anti aging natural supplements, dietary supplements, amino acids and herbal nutrition supplements try visiting VitaminSupplementsGuide.com located at http://www.vitaminsupplementsguide.com.

Hobbies have a mind body connection, they are important activities for senior citizens and are an important part of healthy aging. Active seniors are proof that you can enjoy better health and have fun doing it.

Research studies have shown that leisure time and physical activity promote a healthier lifestyle. Our bodies are meant to be active and move. Many, as they age, tend to become increasingly inactive, preferring to watch TV to help pass the time away. Finding fun activities for senior citizens can change that.

Some good activities for senior citizens

Active seniors are involved and participate in what life has to offer. Hobbies give an individual a reason to get out and share with others. Whether it is painting, building model airplanes or playing cards the benefits of a hobby can be an increase your chances for improved physical, social and emotional well being.

It is important to have regular leisure time physical activity. Anything that promotes moving and being active will benefit you as you age. The health benefits of staying active are a delay or prevention of a chronic disease such as: heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and arthritis. Physical activity also promotes brain fitness. This can help delay or prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Participating in a variety of hobbies helps many cope with the stressors of life. How you react and respond to different situations in life affects your health. Stress and anxiety can lead to poor health. Active seniors are involved and lead a more balanced life.

Hobbies allow active seniors to socialize, find companionship and camaraderie. Making connections with others that have the same interests can often open an individual to new found friendships.

Many individuals that participate in similar hobbies find themselves with other individuals that have similar situations and experiences in life. As we age, we experience losses that affect our emotional health. Active seniors that are involved in hobbies have a pool of other individuals that they can draw emotional support and comfort. There are times when they can also learn from shared experiences. Sharing our feelings with others is a way to connect with others as well as relieve the stress and anxiety we may be feeling.

More Hobbies and the Mind Body Connection: How Active Seniors are Having Fun and Enjoying Better
Health …

Hobbies as activities for senior citizens are a way to calm their minds and relax. It is a way to belong, have something to look forward to doing.

For many, their hobbies are a tool that releases stress and helps bring their emotions back into balance again. It is a time when we get an attitude adjustment and feel right with the world again.

Leisure time physical activity is important to healthy aging. Moving our bodies and using our minds affect how we age. The mind body connection benefits of participating in hobbies are improved mental clarity, enhanced immune system, improved self esteem and self confidence.

Hobbies are a way to have fun, enjoy and stay regularly involved in leisure time physical activity. Consistency and regular involvement is the key to maintaining healthy aging.

Having a variety of hobbies during the week can keep an individual busy, interested and involved. Participating in a hobby with a group can be motivating. Knowing that the expectations of others are anticipating your participation in the day’s activity may give one the boost to go when they feel down. Even to know that you have others that depend on you to be there, may give you an extra boost to participate when you don’t feel like it. Feeling a sense of commitment to others, a sense of belonging is important to healthy aging.

Hobbies give many a sense of connection to others, when there are no other connections in an individual’s life. Connections to others, a sense of belonging, a sense of community gives many active seniors the reason to participate in life to their fullest ability.

Hobbies are a way for many to stay physically and mentally stimulated. Trying new things, meeting new people and sharing your knowledge, experience and sometimes your creative side with others can keep an active senior challenged mentally, as well as, physically.

Hobbies are a safe way to get out and meet people with like minded interests. It is a great ice breaker to meeting new people and a way to stay active, no matter how old you get to be.

Any activity that gets an aging senior moving and involved with others is a step towards healthy aging. It is important to get busy and stay active. Take up dancing, gardening; join a walking club or travel.

Hobbies have a mind body connection. Active seniors are having fun and enjoying better health as they regularly participate in things they enjoy. It is never too late to start enjoying yourself now. Take time to find your own activities for senior citizens to help your loved ones and yourselves.

Diane Carbo Registered Nurse has more than thirty five years in the nursing field. Her experience as a geriatric care manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help those who want to live out their lives in their own homes. Diane has developed a web site to make people aware of issues and options. You will find a mountain of helpful information that will be continually updated. Please visit: http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com/activities-for-senior-citizens.html for more information on hobbies and senior activities Sign up for The Caring Advocate Ezine her free newlsetter and receive a complimentary copy of the Home Health Care Planning Guide.

The money to fund a new National Health Care System is going to have to come from someplace. The cost is estimated in some circles at over 1.3 trillion dollars over ten years. Some estimate the cost as much more. Most Government entitlement programs have a history of costing more than projected.

The Obama administration plans to partially offset this cost by saving 117 billion dollars over ten years on Medicare expenses. This will result in a decrease in the services covered by Medicare as doctors and hospitals leave a system that no longer pays them adequately.

A decision has evidently been made that the elderly are going to die anyway so why bother giving them the quality of health care that could prolong their lives. Don’t you think your life is worth saving/?

What are the elderly going to do to protect their medical insurance benefits? Will they protest these proposed changes? Will they contact their Senators and Congressmen to evidence their dissatisfaction and back it up at the ballot box in the 2010 interim elections? Will elderly organizations finally come off their neutral stand and back up their members? Will Seniors organize to protect their benefits and access to their doctors?

Then there is the Administration’s current position that they will force doctors who accept Medicare to accept a new proposed Government backed insurance carrier. This will only result in driving more doctors out of the system that accepts Medicare. There is already a movement by a number of doctors to stop accepting Medicare recipients because of poor payment conditions. And as part of the Administrations program to take benefits from Seniors, they are going to try and eliminate the private insurance companies that offer additional benefits to us over our basic Medicare plan. Who is going to make up the difference to us – Medicare?

Has the Democratic Party written off the elderly voter? Do they think they can get away with taking away our benefits to pay for the uninsured? Is this the kind of new National health Care system that you want? Do you want your hard earned health care benefits redistributed to others? Wake up Seniors. It’s time to take a stand and protect your interests. It’s time to find your voice and tell the powers that be that you are not going to take losing your benefits without them losing your vote.

Who gives the current Administration the right to say you don’t need a particular medical treatment because you are going to die any way?

Please feel free to use this article as long as credit is given to the resource box.
© Copyright Arthur Levine 2009
Hi, this is Arthur Levine. To view this and other articles on the new middle aged generation please go to http://newmiddleagedgroup.blogspot.com