title: Standpoints of traditional Persian physicians on geriatric nutrition.
abstract: The present article aimed to compile information on the nutritional management for geriatric people. Popular textbooks of Persian medicine from 10th to 18th century were studied to derive relative viewpoints and considerations. The temperament, which is defined as the combination of 4 main elements (fire, air, water, and soil) and 4 humors made subsequently (black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood), changes during age periods. Imbalance in proportional amounts of humors in elderly should be corrected with food and medicaments having opposite nature to the current condition. Traditional foods included mostly well-cooked soups, pottages, and porridges containing fresh sheep or chicken meat. Mono-ingredient foods were also administered according to their medical properties. Nutritional recommendations were also concerned with geriatrics' physiological conditions such as constipation, sleep disorders, and memory deficits. Many of traditional geriatric nutritional requirements are relevant in the present day. However, there are still notes that may be beneficial for consideration.
authors: Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Morteza
authors: M
authors: Emami
authors: Shiraz Geriatric Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Ali
authors: MA
authors: Nazarinia
authors: Faculty of Traditional Iranian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hussein
authors: H
authors: Rezaeizadeh
authors: Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Medicinal Plants Processing Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran zarm@sums.ac.ir.
authors: Mohammad M
authors: MM
authors: Zarshenas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D010820:Physicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
keywords: elderly; geriatric; medieval; nutrition; traditional medicine