The Spring Festival is approaching, and many people are thinking about what gifts to give to their elders to express their filial piety and love. Among the many options, nutraceuticals are a popular option because they are believed to enhance the body's immunity, prevent diseases, delay aging, and improve quality of life. However, there are a wide variety of nutraceuticals on the market, with different effects and uneven quality, making people dizzy, and they don't know how to choose. So, which nutritional and health products should be really supplemented by the elderly? Dr. Ke of TCM will reveal the secrets for you and teach you how to choose the right nutritional and health products to make your elders healthy and happy.
First of all, let's be clear that nutraceuticals are not a substitute for medicines, nor can they replace normal diet and lifestyle habits. Nutraceuticals are only an adjunct and should not be overly relied upon or abused. Therefore, before choosing nutritional health products, we should understand the physical condition and nutritional needs of the elderly, and treat them according to their physical constitution and symptoms, so as to avoid blindly following the trend or taking them at will.
According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the physical characteristics of the elderly are lack of qi and blood, loss of liver and kidney, weakness of the spleen and stomach, and imbalance of yin and yang. Therefore, the elderly should eat more foods and medicines that nourish the liver and kidneys, nourish qi and blood, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and reconcile yin and yang. Here are 8 nutritional supplements recommended by Dr. Ke for seniors:
1. Ginseng: Ginseng is a valuable Chinese medicinal material, which has the effects of invigorating vitality, invigorating the spleen and lungs, quenching thirst, and calming the nerves and intellect. Ginseng can enhance the body's immunity, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, regulate the cardiovascular system and nervous system. The elderly can take some ginseng products appropriately, such as ginseng powder, ginseng capsules, ginseng oral liquid, etc. However, ginseng is warm and dry, easy to catch fire, and should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 3-9 grams per day is appropriate.
2. Deer antler velvet: Deer antler velvet is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine, which has the effects of tonifying kidney yang, benefiting sperm and blood, strengthening muscles and bones, regulating chong ren, and supporting sores and poisons. Deer antler velvet can enhance the body's sexual function, increase bone density, prevent osteoporosis, improve anemia, and promote wound healing. The elderly can take some deer antler products appropriately, such as deer antler tablets, deer antler powder, deer antler capsules, etc. However, deer antler velvet is warm and easy to help fire and heat, so it should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 1-3 grams per day is appropriate.
3. Ejiao: Ejiao is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine, which has the effect of nourishing blood and nourishing yin, moisturizing dryness and stopping bleeding. Ejiao can replenish the body's collagen, improve skin elasticity, prevent wrinkles, moisturize the lungs, relieve cough, stop bleeding and stabilize the fetus. The elderly can take some Ejiao products appropriately, such as Ejiao cake, Ejiao pulp, Ejiao powder, etc. However, Ejiao is sticky and easy to hinder the digestion of the spleen and stomach, so it should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 9-15 grams per day is appropriate.
4. Ganoderma lucidum: Ganoderma lucidum is a valuable Chinese medicinal material, which has the effect of replenishing qi and calming the nerves, relieving cough and asthma. Ganoderma lucidum can enhance the body's immunity, anti-tumor, lowering blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, antioxidant and anti-aging. The elderly can take some Ganoderma lucidum products appropriately, such as Ganoderma lucidum tablets, Ganoderma lucidum powder, Ganoderma lucidum capsules, etc. However, Ganoderma lucidum is peaceful and has no obvious toxic side effects, but it also does not have a strong tonic effect, so it should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 6-12 grams per day is appropriate.
5. Goji Berry: Goji berry is a common Chinese herbal medicine that has the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys and benefiting the shrewd purpose. Goji berries can enhance the body's immunity, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, anti-radiation, regulate blood sugar, and protect the liver. The elderly can take some wolfberry products appropriately, such as wolfberry tea, wolfberry wine, wolfberry paste, etc. However, wolfberry is warm and dry, easy to catch fire, and should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 10-15 grams per day is appropriate.
6. Honey: Honey is a natural nutritional health product, which has the effect of nourishing the body and invigorating qi, moistening the lungs and relieving cough, and moistening the intestines and laxative. Honey can enhance the body's immunity, anti-aging, antioxidant, regulate endocrine, and moisturize the skin. The elderly can take some honey products appropriately, such as honey water, honey masks, honey drinks, etc. However, honey is sweet and greasy, easy to produce dampness and phlegm, so it should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 30-50 grams per day is appropriate.
7. Fish oil: Fish oil is a nutraceutical derived from fish fat and is rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. Fish oil can lower blood lipids, prevent cardiovascular disease, improve memory, and protect eyes. The elderly can take some fish oil products appropriately, such as fish oil capsules, fish oil drops, etc. However, fish oil has a strong fishy smell and is easy to cause nausea and vomiting, so it should not be taken in excess or for a long time. In general, 2-3 grams per day is appropriate.
8. Vitamins: Vitamins are a class of trace organic substances necessary to maintain the normal physiological functions of the human body, which are divided into two types: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamins can enhance the body's immunity, anti-aging, anti-oxidation, prevent diseases, and promote growth and development. Older people are prone to deficiency of certain vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, C, etc., due to their decreased digestion and absorption capacity and unbalanced diet. Therefore, the elderly can take some vitamin products appropriately, such as vitamin tablets, vitamin capsules, etc. However, vitamins should not be taken in excess or for a long time, as they can cause toxicity or side effects. In general, the recommended daily dose is advisable.
The above are the 8 nutritional supplements recommended by Dr. Ke for you, and you can choose the right one according to your body type and symptoms. Of course, before taking nutritional supplements, it is best to consult a professional TCM physician and carry out dialectical treatment according to your specific situation, so as to avoid adverse reactions or delay the disease. I wish you and your elders a happy Chinese New Year and good health!