Dietary supplements can be beneficial at any age, but they can also have negative side effects, such as dangerous interactions with prescription medications. They could also be completely ineffective. What is a dietary supplement?
Utilizing dietary supplements might help you consume more nutrients or lower your risk of acquiring diseases like osteoporosis or arthritis. Tablets, capsules, powders, gel caps, liquids, extracts, and pills are all forms of dietary supplements. They may contain enzymes, fiber, vitamins, minerals, herbs, other plants, or amino acids. Sometimes, the ingredients in dietary supplements are added to foods and drinks. Purchasing dietary supplements does not require a prescription from a physician.
Vitamin & Minerals recommendations for People over 50
Some vitamins and minerals may be needed in higher amounts by those over 50 than by people under that age. If you don’t receive enough of these, your doctor or a nutritionist can advise you whether you need to change your diet or take a vitamin or mineral supplement:
Calcium: Calcium helps maintain strong bones at all ages by collaborating with vitamin D. Bone loss can lead to fractures in both older men and women. Calcium can be found in milk and milk products (low-fat or fat-free is preferable), canned fish with soft bones, kale, and foods with additional calcium, like breakfast cereals.
Vitamin D: The majority of Americans don’t get the necessary quantity of vitamin D. Discuss with your doctor if you should use a vitamin D supplement or increase your intake of fatty fish, vitamin D-fortified cereals, and milk and milk products.
Vitamin B6: Red blood cells need this vitamin to develop. It can be found in potatoes, bananas, chicken breasts, and fortified cereals.
Vitamin B12: This promotes the health of your nerves and red blood cells. While older persons require the same amount of vitamin B12 as other adults, some older adults have problems absorbing the nutrient. Your doctor could advise you to consume foods like fortified cereals with this vitamin added or take a B12 supplement if you have this issue.
Due to the fact that animal products are the only natural food sources of vitamin B12, strict vegetarians and vegans are more likely to experience vitamin B12 insufficiency. Consult your doctor to determine if taking a B12 supplement is appropriate for you.
Herbal supplements and older adults
Herbal supplements are food additives made from plants. Whether they come in the form of a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid, these supplements are consumed orally.
Some of these include ginkgo biloba, ginseng, echinacea, and black cohosh, which you may have heard of. Although it’s still too early to tell if herbal supplements are both safe and effective, researchers are investigating into utilising them to cure or prevent various health issues. Previous research on some herbal supplements failed to find any advantages.
It’s crucial to understand that just because a supplement is natural or derived from plants, it doesn’t automatically imply that it is secure.
THE FIRST WEALTH IS HEALTH.
