Alkaline Diet Foods for Older Adults

The alkaline diet has important health benefits for everyone. In contrast to nutritionally unbalanced fad diets that are intended only for rapid weight loss, the major goal of the alkaline diet is improved health. For those who are overweight, weight loss is merely a highly desirable side benefit. An alkaline diet is appropriate for people of all ages, but I believe that it has especially great benefits for older adults.

Young people can often get away with abusing their bodies, but older bodies are not as resilient. As people get older, their kidney function tends to decline. This is important, because the kidneys are the organs that are primarily responsible for eliminating the acid produced by a low-alkaline diet. Reduced kidney function means that acid tends to build up in the system, placing older adults at greater risk for health problems.

One of these health problems is osteoporosis, which is at least partly caused when the body withdraws alkaline minerals from the bones in order to mop up excess acid. This helps keep acid from building up to a dangerous level, but at the expense of bone health. By following an alkaline diet, you can prevent this problem from occurring in the first place.

Muscle tissue is another source of alkaline minerals, which means that excess acid production can increase the risk of muscle wasting in the elderly. At least one study has shown that the alkaline diet can help preserve muscle strength.

As you can see, older adults have a great deal to gain from alkaline diet foods. In addition to the benefits that I’ve just mentioned, this healthy nutritional approach can also help to preserve kidney function, reduce the risk of kidney stones, and even reduce joint and muscle pain.

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