Many of us take multivitamins and supplements to improve our overall health. For seniors, these products from brands like Integrative Therapeutics in Supplement First are becoming more and more popular.
But this may beg you to wonder – Do seniors need to take supplements, and if so, what kind? Read on to learn more!
What Vitamins Do Seniors Need?
When considering what supplements to take seniors will depend on whether or not they need to take any of them at all. There are pros and cons to taking supplements, with individual needs varying from person to person. This is why it’s crucial to speak with your doctor before you start taking any vitamins.
With that in mind, here are a few vitamins that seniors can benefit from when taken in supplement form:
Vitamin D
Our need for vitamin D increases as we reach our 50s. When we age, our skin will stop absorbing nutrients as it normally did before. This can also be due to the fact many seniors spend their time indoors, thus not getting enough sunlight. Furthermore, not many foods contain vitamin D, making it difficult to incorporate into our diet.
Vitamin D can also help with the absorption of calcium, a crucial nutrient that helps prevent bone decay.
Vitamin B12
This is another crucial vitamin that everyone needs in their diet, and that isn’t limited to seniors. This vitamin helps prevent anemia and keeps our red blood cells healthy. If we are deficient in this vitamin, we may experience symptoms like fatigue or feelings of weakness.
The reason there is a higher need for vitamin B12 in seniors is that not everyone can get enough of them in their diet. Moreover, many seniors can’t absorb vitamin B12 properly as they don’t have enough stomach acid to do so. Supplements containing vitamin B12 would be absorbed easier.
As you can see, vitamins B12 and D are some of the best vitamins seniors can benefit from. But supplements containing these vitamins are only necessary if people can’t get enough of them in their diet. That said, most vitamins are found in a healthy diet, so there may not be a need for supplements from stores like Supplement First at all, but this is only for a doctor to decide.
That brings us to the next question below.
Should Seniors Take Multivitamins?
It isn’t that supplements aren’t helpful. But unless you have dietary restrictions, most people would receive enough vitamins and minerals. Other than the two vitamins mentioned, seniors may not require supplements any more than other age groups.
We recommend talking with a doctor about this, but the bottom line, supplements aren’t always necessary unless they are for seniors recovering from an injury or surgery, and those who have restrictive diets such as food allergies or vegetarians. Again, it all boils down to what your doctor will recommend.
Wrapping It Up
Before you take any supplements, be sure to check with your doctor about their recommendations.
Supplements are only one preventative health measure seniors can take. Check out the infographic below for more tips to stay healthy!
Infographic provided by TargetLeads, a Medicare lead mailing company
