Milk, known as the "white blood", is a very common drink in daily life, and is loved by people of all ages because it is rich in high-quality protein, calcium, vitamins and other nutrients.
For the elderly, drinking milk in moderation can help replenish calcium and prevent osteoporosis, but not all elderly people are suitable for drinking milk, especially the following groups. This article will provide a detailed analysis of the precautions for the consumption of milk in older adults, and which older adults should be cautious or avoid drinking milk.
Lactose is the main sugar in milk and needs to be catabolized by lactase to be absorbed by the body. However, due to aging and declining intestinal function, the secretion of lactase decreases in some elderly people, resulting in lactose intolerance.
Such elderly people may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea after drinking milk. Therefore, older people who are lactose intolerant should avoid or drink small amounts of milk, and can choose dairy products that have been lactose-decomposed such as yogurt and cheese.
Elderly people with gastritis, gastric ulcers, enteritis and other digestive diseases have fragile gastric mucosa and intestinal function. Although milk is highly nutritious, the protein and fat in it need to be broken down by digestive juices before they can be absorbed.
For this part of the elderly, drinking milk may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and lead to aggravation of the condition. Therefore, it is recommended that such elderly people drink milk in moderation during the stable or remission period of the disease and avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
Patients with chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes need to pay special attention to their diet. Although milk is relatively low in fat, it still contains a certain amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, and excessive intake is not conducive to blood lipid control. In addition, the sugar in milk may also affect blood sugar stability. Therefore, the elderly with these chronic diseases should control their milk intake in moderation according to their own conditions and doctors' recommendations, and choose low-fat, sugar-free or low-sugar milk products.
An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune response to a substance. Some elderly people may be allergic to the protein or other components in milk, manifesting as itching, dyspnea, allergic rhinitis and other symptoms. For such older people, avoiding milk is the best option to avoid triggering severe allergic reactions.
Some drugs may interact with the ingredients in milk, affecting or increasing their efficacy*** For example, tetracycline antibiotics bind to calcium ions in milk and may reduce drug absorption; Iron is combined with calcium and phosphorus in milk and may form compounds that are not easily absorbed, affecting iron absorption. Therefore, older people who are taking drugs should consult a doctor or pharmacist to understand the interaction between the drug and milk, so as to avoid improper consumption of milk that affects the effect.
Although milk is highly nutritious, it is also not low in calories. For overnourished or obese older adults, excessive milk intake may lead to excessive caloric intake and worsen obesity. These elderly people should control their milk intake, choose low-fat, low-sugar or sugar-free milk products, and combine them with appropriate exercise to maintain a healthy weight and nutritional balance.
To sum up, the elderly need to make reasonable arrangements according to their own health conditions and needs when drinking milk. Milk should be cautious or avoided in older people who are lactose intolerant, have digestive disorders, chronic diseases, allergies, and are taking certain medications.
At the same time, choosing the right milk products, taking them in moderation, and avoiding drinking on an empty stomach are also the keys to ensuring the safe absorption of milk nutrients. It is hoped that the analysis and suggestions in this paper can provide a useful reference for the elderly in drinking milk.