Dietary habits and CVD risk among older adults: a review

Aging is a biological process that occurs naturally in all living beings. During the aging process the body undergoes various changes and losses of operating systems. As a result diet has a very important role on the one hand to meet the daily needs, on the other hand to shield the immune system against various diseases. Additionally, the prevalence of various chronic diseases, along with aging, makes the role of nutrition in elderly people fundamental. Cardiovascular disease is the world’s leading cause of death. It occurs in the middle aged or older subjects and is directly and indirectly related to eating habits. The nutritional needs of older people are special and therefore their diet should be carefully designed and adapted so that the body is provided with all the necessary nutrients and there are no nutritional deficiencies. This paper reviews the current literature on the role of nutrition and dietary recommendations for the elderly.