What is meat for the body at one age is poison at another. For example, iron and copper are nutritionally essential minerals. Iron deficiency leads to anaemia. Copper maintains hair colour and is a part of several hormones. But larger amounts of their intake are good only for younger people. After 50, the toxicity of these metals comes into play and can damage cells, leading to diseases including Alzheimer’s. Precautions old people should take:

• Avoid too many vitamin and mineral pills
  
• Lower the red meat intake. Red meat is rich in minerals like iron, zinc and phosphorous
  
• Avoid drinking water from copper pipes
  
• Donate blood to keep body’s iron levels in control

Source: Down To Earth,
Date: February , 2010