Everyone ages differently, but our lifestyle choices can make a huge difference in how well we do. And as we age, our bodies begin to lose the ability to produce some important minerals, nutrients, and essential chemicals our bodies desperately need. Thankfully, supplementation and a healthy and active lifestyle can help mitigate some of those changes and slow down the effects of aging. Here are some of the supplements everyone over the age of 50 should consider adding to their diet.
Vitamin D and Calcium
Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins at any age, but it is especially important for people over the age of 50. We already know what an important role calcium plays in bone health, but vitamin D actually improves the function of calcium and helps the body absorb it properly. In addition to that, vitamin D plays a central role in maintaining immune function, preventing heart disease, diabetes, and various types of cancer.
That’s why it would be wise to look for a supplement that combines both vitamin D and calcium if you want to get their full benefit. Bone Builder Prime, for example, contains calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus. It also contains MCHC, which is a crystalline compound that is highly absorbable and has been shown to have higher bone building and preserving effects than other forms of calcium. If you want to learn more about this supplement, you can find Bone Builder primer here.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is also very important and helps in maintaining our DNA structure. It’s also essential in the production of red blood cells and promotes nerve health. While you can get B12 from various sources such as fish, red meat, chicken, and milk products, our bodies slowly start to lose their ability to absorb B12 from food sources as we age. If you want to know if you’re getting enough B12, make sure that you consult your doctor. They might suggest that you take fortified foods or go for a supplement.
Fish Oil
Fish oil high in omega 3s can play an essential role in reducing inflammation, which is one of the main causes of many ailments as we age. Omega 3s can help reduce joint pain and swelling. Omega 3s can also help maintain cognitive functions. In addition to that, Omega 3s have been shown to reduce the total amount of triglycerides in the blood, which reduces the risks of clogged arteries.
Probiotics
Probiotics have been rising in popularity lately, for a variety of reasons. Probiotics are essential for proper bowel function. They have also been shown to help with excretory function issues like Crohn’s disease. There are products available that are fortified with probiotics such as yogurt, but if you are lactose intolerant, then you might consider taking a probiotic supplement. Probiotic supplements are also much stronger and have a higher concentration of the “good” bacteria found in yogurt so they are often more effective than trying to eat large quantities of yogurt or other probiotic rich foods.
Chromium
Our metabolism has a tendency to slow down with age and adding a chromium supplement to your diet might help. One of the benefits of chromium is that it can regulate blood sugar, which can help with the absorption of various nutrients found in our food. Chromium has also been shown to help maintain muscle mass and can also help with fat loss as well.
Glucosamine
The risk of getting arthritis becomes higher by the time we reach 50, and glucosamine can play an important role in preventing it from forming. Our bodies use glucosamine to produce various chemicals that are responsible for maintaining ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and important fluids that surround our joints. Supplementing with glucosamine can not only relieve pain caused by arthritis but could even reverse the damage that has already been done.
Boron
Very few people know about boron, but it can have many benefits, especially for older adults. Boron has been shown to boost immune function and bone health. Boron has also been shown to help prevent dementia and could help prevent Alzheimer’s as well.
Psyllium Fiber
Dietary fiber becomes increasingly important with age and is essential for maintaining proper bowel function. But adding psyllium fiber to your diet could have many other benefits as well. It has been shown to reduce blood sugar and reduce the chance of developing coronary artery disease. Other research has shown that psyllium fiber could help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body by latching on to bile acid and fat and flushing them out through our digestive tract.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by our pineal gland and it plays an essential role in maintaining our sleep cycles. Levels of the hormones decrease with age, which could affect your ability to get quality sleep. That’s why it would be wise to supplement your diet with melatonin if you suddenly start developing a sleeping disorder. A lack of sleep has been linked to higher rates of heart disease and diabetes, making melatonin that much more important for older adults.
Conclusion
While you can never completely reverse the effects of time, there are some things you can do to minimize them and continue living a healthy and active life. Make sure that you consider adding these supplements to your diet and consult your doctor for recommendations as well.
