What vitamins and supplements does a senior citizen need to stay healthy?
A few essential nutrients, in particular, may be in short supply as you age. Here are the most beneficial vitamins and nutrients to pay attention to and ways to get enough of them:
Vitamin B12: These are important for generating red blood cells, DNA and for maintaining a healthy nerve function. “Receiving enough B12 is a challenge for older adults since they do not absorb it from food as much as younger people,” says Tucker. “Even when your diet contains an acceptable amount of B12, you may be falling short.
“Folate/Folic Acid: Although you might have heard of Folate before, you might not know that this essential vitamin B is known for its effects on anemia and increasing the risk of newborn babies with a neural tube defect. Seniors who do not include fruits and vegetables or fortified breakfast cereals into their diet might be falling short.
Calcium: Calcium has a significant role in your body, and it is essential for establishing and maintaining strong bones. Surveys indicate that as we get older, we include less calcium in our diets. That is an unfortunate fact since “Calcium is so vital that in case of not getting enough of it, your body will leach it out of your bones,” says Zelman. Not getting enough calcium is proven to increase the risk of brittle bones and fractures.
Magnesium: You can find this mineral in foods containing fiber, like green leafy vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Breakfast cereals can also add to your magnesium intake. Magnesium is also found in tap, mineral, or bottled drinking water.