Tips for Choosing Vitamins for the Elderly

Tips for Choosing Vitamins for the Elderly

The elderly need enough vitamins every day. We understand the worry that you feel that most people think multivitamin supplements are good for the body but many people do not realize that there are enough vitamins and minerals available in our food. Even packaged foods and drinks, including those classified as junk food, are also often enriched with nutrients as added value. Therefore the risk for suffering from excess vitamins becomes very large if we still add them to various vitamin supplements.

Basically there is no strong scientific evidence about the efficacy of multivitamins in reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, or other chronic diseases. Meet the deficiency of vitamins or minerals to meet different daily needs by adding more than the recommended levels.
The best way to meet the body's need for vitamins is to consume foods that naturally contain vitamins. If we get vitamins from natural food, rarely will there be excess vitamin or mineral.

There are indeed several groups of individuals who need supplementation, namely:

• Postmenopausal women who need vitamin D and calcium to protect bones.
• Women planning a pregnancy need folate to prevent birth defects.
• People over 50 years old and who are vegetarians need vitamin B12.
• Pregnant women need extra iron.
• Nursing mothers may need calcium and vitamin D.

Here are tips for safe taking supplements:

• Make it simple. The more ingredients there are in combo supplements, the more likely it is the amount is not right.
• According to experts from The Office of Dietary Supplements, if possible choose a combo supplement that is specific to your age and gender. Multivitamins usually contain less iron and vitamins for the elderly usually contain more calcium and vitamin D.
• Take vitamin D at dinner. Studies show that absorption of these nutrients is far better when consumed with large meals and more fat.
• Be aware of vitamin K supplements because they can speed up the clogging of blood vessels and can interfere with heart disease medications and blood thinners.
• Smokers and former smokers are advised to avoid multivitamins that contain beta carotene or vitamin A. Two scientific studies show this vitamin increases the risk of lung cancer.
• For cancer patients, vitamins C and E will reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
• The person who is about to undergo surgery must tell his doctor if taking a vitamin supplement because some vitamins can cause bleeding and interfere with anesthesia.

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