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What Are The Best Vitamins For Seniors And Older Adults?

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    As we age, our bodies can have a harder time absorbing the nutrients we need from our diets. Can vitamins help? Read on to learn more.

    What are the benefits of taking vitamins for older adults?

    While vitamins are no substitute for a diverse, nutrient-rich diet, they can be hugely effective at filling nutrient gaps. If you’re not getting enough nutrients from your foods, vitamins can help address deficiencies and keep your body functioning at a high level.

    For some older adults, vitamins can be especially beneficial. Your nutrient needs change over the course of your life and, as you age, your body may have a harder time absorbing the nutrients it needs. Certain medications can exacerbate this problem.

    If you’re an older adult and you’re looking to boost your overall health, you should talk to your doctor about possible nutrient deficiencies and determine which vitamins might be right for you. In what follows, we’ll take a look at some of the best, most helpful vitamins for older adults.

    What are the best vitamins for older adults?

    Vitamin D

    Vitamin D supports health in myriad ways, including helping your body absorb calcium, which benefits bone health. It’s also good for regulating the immune system.

    Despite its importance, most people are vitamin D deficient, and such deficiencies are especially prevalent among people above the age 65. Per this study, vitamin D deficiencies are associated with a range of other health issues among the aging population. It’s important to talk to a medical professional about assessing your vitamin D levels.

    The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 15-20 mcg. If you’re older than 70, you should strive to get 20 mcg.

    Care/of’s vitamin D supplement is easy to digest and comes in 30-day supplies.

    B vitamins

    B vitamins help your body metabolize the food you eat, turning it into the energy your body needs. B vitamins also help with DNA repair and proper immune function. In other words, B vitamins contribute to your overall health and wellbeing. Per this study, maintaining healthy B levels has beneficial health effects for older adults, in particular. Care/of’s B-Complex supplement supports the nervous system and supports energy metabolism.

    Fish oil

    Fish oil supplements are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support cardiovascular health, eye health, and cognitive health. Older adults tend to need more support in each of these areas. For a comprehensive assessment of fish oil supplements, you can check out this study that reports fish oil helping to maintain healthy eyes. Care/of’s fish oil supplements are sourced from wild Alaskan salmon and have been shown to support heart health.

    Vitamin C

    Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that’s mainly found in fruits and vegetables. It’s involved in protein metabolism and is an important part of healthy immune function. It’s also necessary for the biosynthesis of collagen, a connective tissue that plays a role in wound healing. As a water-soluble vitamin, it doesn’t get stored in the body, which means that your levels need to get replenished daily. The RDA is 75-90 mg. Care/of’s vitamin C supplement is easy to digest and formulated for optimal absorption.

    Calcium

    As we age, the function of our bones can decrease, which makes calcium that much more important. Calcium supports healthy bones, including teeth, and muscle function. People with a lactose sensitivity, those who avoid dairy, and those who don’t consume many fruits and veggies may be at a higher risk for a deficiency. If you’re an older adult and you’re concerned about calcium intake, you might want to consider supplementation. Per this study, calcium supplementation can support bone mineral density in older adults. Care/of’s Calcium Plus supplement supports the maintenance of strong bones and includes vitamin D and vitamin K2 for improved absorption.

    Digestive Enzymes

    Digestive enzymes are proteins that exist inside your body to break down the foods you eat and help your body absorb the nutrients it needs. As you age, though, your body’s production of digestive enzymes can tend to decrease. That’s when you might want to try digestive enzyme supplements, such as those offered by Care/of.

    What is the best multivitamin for older adults?

    The Care/of multivitamin is an ideal option for older adults. It’s designed to fill real dietary gaps, providing better – not more – ingredients in easy-to-digest forms. Like all Care/of products, our multivitamin is designed with the latest, most up-to-date research for maximum effectiveness. Our multivitamin is also third-party tested, C.L.E.A.N. certified, non-GMO, and gluten-free. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better option!

    When to ask your doctor about taking a vitamin

    You should always talk to your doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine. If you are an older adult and you’re feeling lethargic, you can talk to your doctor about possible nutrient deficiencies and figure out what vitamins will serve your longer-term health goals.

    Key takeaways

    Vitamins can be a big help in filling nutrient gaps. This can be especially for important older adults, since our bodies’ ability to absorb certain nutrients tends to decline with age. While no substitute for a nutrient-rich diet, vitamins can help address deficiencies that emerge with age. Talk to your doctor about measuring your levels to detect possible deficiencies and find out whether adding vitamins to your routine is a good idea. If you’re looking for an effective multivitamin, Care/of’s multivitamin supplement may be right for you. In any event, taking vitamins can help you maintain energy and overall good health as you age.

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    Dr. Carla Montrond Correia ND, CNS
    Medical Content Manager
    Dr. Montrond-Correia is a licensed naturopathic physician and a certified nutrition specialist (CNS). She holds degrees from University of Bridgeport, Georgetown University, and University of Saint Joseph, and supplemented her education with internships in the health and wellness space. She's focused on research, herbal medicine, nutrigenomics, and integrative and functional medicine. She makes time for exercise, artistic activities, and enjoying delicious food.
    Our Editorial Staff
    Freelance Contributor
    The Care/of Editorial Team is made up of writers, experts, and health enthusiasts, all dedicated to giving you the information you need today. Our team is here to answer your biggest wellness questions, read the studies for you, and introduce you to your new favorite product, staying up to date on the latest research, trends, and science. Each article is written by one of our experts, reviewed both for editorial standards by an editor and medical standards by one of our naturopathic doctors, and updated regularly as new information becomes available.