Aging reduces skin elasticity, thins the surface of the epidermis, and causes fragility. Beneath the skin, heart disease rates begin to soar after you hit 65, and cellular damage impacts every single organ in the body. Hearing loss, depression, and diabetes rates rise, chipping away at your quality of life. Age can also impair your nutrient absorption, so supplementation is often a necessity.
Aging populations struggle to absorb B-vitamins, so these are a core part of a healthy regime. Deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein are common. Supplementation should also include:
- Vitamin E to compensate for malabsorption problems.
- Magnesium and potassium to maintain bone health.
- Folic acid to evade neural tube defects. It’s important to supplement moderately to avoid malabsorption of vitamin B 12.
- Vitamin D to encourage calcium absorption and avoid neurological problems.
- Glucosamine to prevent fine lines.
- L-carnitine to stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Fish oil for glaucoma and macular degeneration.
- Selenium to protect against some cancers.
- Melatonin for insomnia.
That list is long enough to choke on, but fortunately, many companies offer age-specific multivitamins that will bring down your pill count.
Avoiding the Hype
Most supplements only have positive effects if you have pre-existing deficiencies, so speak to a physician about establishing which nutrients you need. The quality of your product is also a factor. Poorly tested doses and lack of purity can have dire results, so look for NSF and Pharmacopeia seals of approval.
Aging isn’t a simple process, but one that affects your body in hundreds of ways. You can’t reverse it, but you can boost your health. A varied diet is the best foundation for that, but when your body isn’t absorbing the nutrients in your food, supplementation can have dramatic effects on your wellbeing.
If your supply company is interested in providing or reformulating vitamins for aging adults, Healthy Solutions is your friend in the manufacturing stage.