Garlic is a basic vegetable related to onions, and it has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. It’s also a popular seasoning used to add a burst of flavor to whatever you’re cooking. Health experts recognize the amazing benefits found in garlic, and it should be a staple in your senior loved one’s diet for the following reasons.
Alleviates Arthritis Pain
Garlic has been known to reduce pain and inflammation in seniors with rheumatoid arthritis. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties known to reduce inflammation related to other forms of arthritis as well. The reason for this is garlic contains a compound called diallyl disulfide, which limits the cartilage-destroying enzymes that cause arthritis.
Seniors who need help preparing healthy meals should consider professional in-home care. In-home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Reverses Hypertension
Seniors who experience hypertension risk damaging their brains, kidneys, hearts, and arteries. If your loved one has high blood pressure, consuming garlic may lower it. Garlic benefits the arteries by relaxing them to lower overall blood pressure. Seniors who have had strokes can also benefit from this property of garlic, as it can prevent recurrent strokes and promote safe recovery.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Portland Senior Care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care to enhance his or her quality of life.
Reduces Cancer Risk
Some of the components in garlic that may fight cancer include sulfur, flavonoids, selenium, and allicin. According to the National Cancer Institute, these compounds are believed to boost the production of hydrogen sulfide and fight an array of cancers, including breast, prostate, stomach, and colon cancer. Researchers who conducted a study at Case Western Reserve University found garlic could also lower the risk of precancerous tumors in the large intestine.
Promotes Heart Health
Garlic is a fantastic food for the heart. When seniors eat one to two crushed garlic cloves daily, it can boost their cardiovascular health and even prevent heart disease. Garlic increases blood circulation and slows down the development of hardening arteries, which is a condition that can greatly increase the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Eating garlic is just one of the many ways seniors can boost their health and enjoy a high quality of life. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elder care. Greater Portland families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ 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. Call us today to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
