The average senior takes about five medications per day, so it’s understandable to want to curb the need for added supplements and vitamins. One solution for achieving this goal is to take advantage of the lesser-known health benefits of common foods like garlic.
1. Natural Immune System Booster
Technically considered a vegetable bulb, garlic increases the amount of virus-fighting T-cells within the body, which can help your senior loved one avoid winter colds that tend to last longer in people 65 and older. There’s also research suggesting a daily dose of garlic may ward off certain strains of the flu virus.
If you need help encouraging your loved one to eat healthy food, consider hiring an in-home caregiver. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care Pearland service. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Good Source of Iodine
If your loved one is experiencing increased fatigue and weight gain, he or she may have an iodine deficiency. Fortunately, garlic is an excellent source of iodine, which can also help seniors with existing thyroid conditions.
3. Reduced “Bad” Cholesterol
While citrus fruits get all the glory when it comes to vitamin C, garlic also has a substantial amount of this nutrient. In addition, roughly 400 mg of garlic per day may be enough to reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in seniors, a plus for those at risk for developing heart disease.
When it comes to healthy meal preparation for aging adults, respite caregivers can play an important role. Family caregivers sometimes need a break from their caregiving responsibilities. When they need respite care, Pearland families can rely on professional caregivers to help their senior loved ones remain safe at home.
4. Cognitive Health Booster
For seniors with dementia-related conditions, B6 is among the vitamins that may help them manage the cognitive decline that often occurs with such conditions. Garlic happens to be an excellent source of B6, which has also been shown to control mood swings.
5. Better Blood Sugar Control
If your loved one is among the nearly 12 million seniors with diabetes, garlic may help with blood sugar control. If your loved one doesn’t want to regulate his or her glucose with raw cloves, garlic extract pills can provide similar benefits. Too much garlic can result in adverse reactions, so it’s important not to go overboard with it. Crushing one or two pods and diluting the taste with a glass of water (or orange juice) each morning is a good way to get the right daily amount.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Pearland elderly home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Assisting Hands Home Care at (281) 809-7342 today.
