As your body grows older, it is crucial to supply it with all the vitamins and macronutrients it needs to function well. One way to do that is to take vitamins and food supplements that contain everything your body needs on a daily basis. In this article we are going to take a closer look at what vitamins and macronutrients elderly people need – and how to get enough of them.
Can’t I Just Get My Vitamins with Food?
First of all, let’s answer this question that’s on the mind of anyone who is not very familiar with vitamins and food supplements. Do I even need them? After all, all those As, Bs, and Cs can be found in foods that are commonly eaten on a daily basis, such as yogurt, fish, or bananas.
While this is perfectly true, most people don’t eat a well-balanced diet that provides them with everything they need. This is often the case with elderly people, who might not be able to eat all kinds of foods, lack the energy to cook healthy meals, or simply aren’t aware of everything their body needs. If your diet is not varied enough and isn’t centered around healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish, you are probably better off taking some multivitamins.
Finally, getting all your vitamins and macronutrients (learn more) with food may be a good idea when you’re in your 30s or 40s. As you get older, your gut’s ability to digest food and get vitamins from it worsens, so it is crucial that you use some dietary supplements to provide your body with everything it needs.
What Vitamins and Nutrients Do I Need Most?
Depending on your age, your dietary requirements might change, but the general guidelines are always going to remain the same. B12 is a very important vitamin for older people because it minimizes the risk of suffering from dementia. The older you get, the more B12 you need to consume to make sure that you’re getting enough of it even if your body is no longer capable of extracting the vitamin from foods you eat. B12 supplements may get quite expensive, but you can find some reasonably priced multivitamin packs over at vitaminshoppe.com.
Meanwhile, your cardiovascular system needs omega-3 fatty acids to prevent irregular heartbeat and reduce the buildup of plaque in your blood vessels. They are also capable of reducing inflammation in your body, so you need to get enough of them to minimize your risk of suffering from diabetes, cancer, and various forms of heart disease. There are lots of omega-3 supplements available on the pharmaceutical market, so you can always find something that works for you.
Calcium and vitamin D are crucial for the health and strength of your bones. As you age, they become more prone to osteoporosis and they tend to break easier. This may restrict your freedom of movement and make you want to pass on activities you enjoy. While some precautions may be reasonable, you don’t have to give up on your lifestyle just because you’re getting older. We have found some really good calcium and vitamin D supplements over at plateaudrugs.com that contain everything your bone tissue needs to stay strong and resilient to physical impact. Just don’t forget to go for a walk afterwards because vitamin D is best synthesized under the influence of sunlight.
Finally, pay attention to the amount of protein you consume on a daily basis. Muscles are an integral part of our bodies, and unfortunately, they tend to deteriorate when they are not being used. What’s more, the body’s ability to develop and maintain lean muscle tissue worsens with age, so you should aid muscle development by consuming sufficient amounts of protein. In addition to eating fish, meat, nuts, and eggs, you can take some protein dietary supplements to make sure that your body receives the nutrients it needs.
How Do Vitamins and Supplements Interact with Prescription Drugs?
According to a recent survey, only around 50% of all people aged between 55 and 70 believe that the dietary supplements they take won’t interact with their prescription medications in any way. Despite that, the use of vitamins and similar food additives among older people has been on the rise for the last several years. This means that some people are willingly exposing themselves to the risks of a possible dangerous interaction.
This phenomenon could be explained by the fact that dietary supplements are often not even regarded as pharmaceuticals. People tend to think that since vitamins and food additives are mostly natural, they can’t be dangerous and thus shouldn’t be taken with caution. Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for food supplements to contain vitamins and minerals that can pose serious health risks when combined with certain drugs. For instance, taking vitamin K together with an anticoagulant medication can reduce with the expected effect of the latter, leading to a number of dangerous health conditions.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should refrain from taking vitamins and other dietary supplements. However, make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of every medication and food supplement you’re currently using before you start taking a new one. This way, he or she can warn you if there’s a risk of dangerous interactions and ensure that your health is not going to be affected by such drug combinations.