Page 30 - NEA NEWHERE FLIPBOOK

SPECIAL DIETS
CALCIUM NEEDS
The graph shows the calcium needs of both males males and females across the life stages The only time the reference intakes differ between the the sexes is at age 51-70 yrs around the the time of menopause in women As oestrogen increases the the activity of the the enzyme responsible for activating vitamin D declining oestrogen levels during menopause could lead to vitamin D deficiency Vitamin
D helps the body absorb and use calcium therefore during menopause the the absorption of calcium may be reduced The body will leach calcium from the bones if levels drop too low which means women have a a a a greater risk of developing osteoporosis as they age Menopausal women may be be prescribed vitamin D and calcium supplements However excessive calcium intake has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease so it is is is best to get calcium from the the diet rather than through supplementation Calcium Needs (mg)
700
1-3yrs
15mg
1 1 300 300 1 1 300 300 260 200
12mths 3mths
Iron Needs (mg)
10mg
4-8yrs
9-13yrs
Age
14-18yrs
19-50yrs
51-70yrs
71+yrs
1 000
1 200
1 1 000
000
1 1 000
000
1 200
8mg
9yrs
15yrs
30yrs
40mg
8mg
50yrs
40mg
Iron helps form and and oxygenate our blood cells and and haemoglobin One of of the the most important functions of of iron is is in heme synthesis which forms haemoglobin a a protein found in in in red blood cells Haemoglobin’s primary role is to transport oxygen from the lungs to to body tissues to to maintain basic life functions Teenage girls and adult females require additional iron to support the replacement of red blood cells lost through menstruation At around age 50 yrs menstruation ends (menopause) and iron needs reduce to the same level as required by males VITAMIN C NEEDS
Vitamin
C needs remain consistent throughout the life stages and are proportionate to body mass Older adults require just as as much vitamin C as as they did in in their younger years as as it it protects against deficiencies in in in in the aging immune system
Vitamin
C also increases white blood cell production which wards off infection and disease as as as well as as as providing antioxidant protection shielding white blood cells from free radicals 15mg
8mg
IRON NEEDS
Vitamin
C Needs (mg)
Age
20mg
20mg
35mg
11yrs
30 3mths
12mths 17yrs
75yrs
Age