5 Most Common Vitamin Supplements for Senior Citizens

As mentioned in our blog Eating as You Age nutrition needs change as we age, and we may not always be aware of it. Most people have heard of multivitamins or probiotics, but what do we really need? For the past few years there have been 5 common supplements that seniors are taking, lets take a look ourselves.

Multivitamins

                A multivitamin is exactly what it sounds like, a capsule that contains just about as many vitamins as manufacturers can fit inside. The supplements contained vary widely depending on the formula, after all someone who is in their early 20’s is going to need different vitamins than someone over 65!

Vitamin D

                Vitamin D has a wide range of benefits, from being a mood booster to keeping bones healthy. A lack of vitamin D can make you feel lethargic and apathetic, think of how you feel in the middle of winter when you haven’t been getting enough sun! It also helps maintain bone health long term and keeps your immune system functioning like it should, something everyone can benefit from.

Vitamin B6

                One of eight B vitamins B6 is part of the vitamins that are essential for proper cell functioning. B6 also lowers the levels of homocysteine which has been associated with heart disease, stroke, and even cognitive decline. But it’s not just seniors who benefit from B6, the vitamin has a long-documented history of helping relieve pregnancy-related nausea as well!

Vitamin B12

                Another B vitamin, B12 plays a large part in keeping blood cells healthy and continually producing. Some studies show that a B12 deficiency is linked to poor bone health and osteoporosis. It’s also been noted that a combination of B12 and omega-3 fatty acid supplements can help slow mental decline in people with dementia, like its cousin B6.

Calcium

                Most people are familiar with calcium as a bone density supplement, especially women who tend to need a little bit more help in that category, but did you know that the benefits of calcium go beyond bone health? Calcium also helps with blood clotting, muscle contraction, and may even help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol.

                As we’ve mentioned before it’s always best to consult your doctor when trying to figure out what supplements are right for you, especially because often a healthy diet provides all the necessary nutrients for a healthy life. But for people with limited diets or people who struggle to eat in general vitamin supplements can help make up for the lack of nutrients they’re consuming.