There has been an explosion in the number of older people in the world during the past century. While in 1950 only 8% of the world’s population was over 60-years-old, that proportion will be up to 21% by the year 2050. Elderly people will make up a substantial percentage of the population in many areas of the globe, and with the exception of many countries in Africa, most regions of the world will have significant numbers of elderly people. 

Aging is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease, disability and death. The financial burden alone to society for caring for an aging population is substantial. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the costs for healthcare, long-term care and hospice for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias alone is expected to increase from $183 billion in 2011 to $1.1 trillion in 2050, in constant dollars.

The need to shift priorities to increase our attention on ways to prevent chronic illnesses associated with aging is paramount. Individually, people must put increased efforts into establishing healthy lifestyle practices, including consuming a more healthful diet. Making smarter and healthier food purchasing decisions will be more and more important. Aging affects everybody in different ways, but there are three main contributions to healthy aging: genetics and family history; lifestyle practices and exercise; and diet and nutrition. The first of these three factors is immutable, but the remaining two can be modified to improve health.

“Strategic Nutrition For Healthy Aging” is the latest technical paper from Fortitech Premixes. The paper shares insights surrounding how consumers are turning to fortified foods and beverages to stave off the effects of aging, and how you can use Fortitech Premixes to capitalize on this global trend. You can download the paper for free at www.fortitechpremixes.com/freepaper.