Supplements for Seniors

As a senior, there are some supplements you should consider taking to help improve your overall health. Even though you may have a healthy diet, as you grow older, your nutritional needs may change in the following ways:

• Sensory changes: As you age, your senses of taste and smell become reduced. This may adversely affect your eating habits because food may seem less appealing.
• Digestive changes: Aging also brings a number of changes to the stomach, which can have a negative impact on digestion by reducing the absorption of nutrients. For example, a drop in the secretion of stomach acid is quite common in seniors; this results in reduced absorption of vitamin B-12 and iron. Stomach emptying also slows down as you age, which can lead to a reduced appetite. Slowed movement of food through the intestines may also cause bloating and constipation.
• Changes in metabolism: As you age you may not be as active as you once were and you may lose some of your lean muscle mass. The main cause of reduced muscle mass is changes in your metabolism, or the way your body burns calories from food. As well as reduced muscle tissue, lower metabolism may also cause unhealthy weight gain.
• Changes in oral health: Seniors are susceptible to tooth loss as well as relying on dentures. This can change your ability to chew food and mechanically break it down. For example, you may have difficulty chewing if you have missing teeth or if you have ill-fitting dentures. Problems with your teeth can also lead to different food choices, changes in how you prepare food and in your eating patterns. For instance, you may avoid eating crunchy or chewy foods.

Best Supplements for Seniors

Many healthcare practitioners recommend the following supplements for seniors:

Vitamin B12: Though this vitamin is available in some foods, such as fortified cereal, because of changes in the digestive system, many seniors are unable to absorb this nutrient from food[1]. A daily dose of 2.4 mcg (micrograms) is recommended.

Calcium: Calcium is vital for maintaining the health and stability of joints and bones[2]. The daily recommended dose for seniors is 1200 mg (milligrams).

Vitamin D: Like calcium, vitamin D helps support joint health. Vitamin D deficiency in the elderly can also lead to muscle weakness[3].  The recommended dosage is 400 IU (international units) for individuals between the ages of 51 and 70, and 600 IU for those over 70.

Vitamin B6: This vitamin plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and to support overall health. The recommended daily dose is 1.7 mg for men and 1.5 mg for women.

Nutritional Supplements for the Elderly

DrFormulas™ has an extensive range of nutritional supplements for seniors.

Taking Care of Joints and Bones

As you age, it’s vital to maintain the strength of your joints and bones to avoid softening or brittleness, which can lead to easy fractures. Make sure you’re getting all the important vitamins and minerals you need for joint support with DrFormulas™ Calcium Complex with Magnesium & Vitamin D. DrFormulas™ Joint Supplement contains a proprietary blend of ingredients including glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, and boron, designed to strengthen bones and support total joint health. If you are experiencing joint soreness and stiffness, you can combine DrFormulas™ joint supplement with DrFormulas™ Pain Relief Cream. It’s made with menthol and camphor, both of which have been shown to provide relief from minor joint pain[4]. View all our joint health supplements.

Supporting Healthy Hair Growth

Just like your skin, your hair changes as you grow older, but you can still keep it strong and healthy no matter what your age. DrFormulas™ HairOmega® DHT Blocker for Healthy Hair Growth supports hair growth with its 41 ingredients and HairOmega® 3-in-1 supports healthy hair and nail growth while helping your skin look young and radiant. For those with hair loss nd HairOmega® Serum is a proprietary hair loss treatment with minoxidil.  Browse all our hair growth supplements.

Supporting Your Digestive System

One of the best ways to keep your digestive system in tip-top condition is with a quality probiotic supplement. DrFormulas™ Nexabiotic® 23-strain Probiotics is a unique formulas that supports your GI tract and maintains healthy levels of beneficial gut and intestinal flora. This supplement includes recommended strains Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Each capsule contains 17.25 Billion CFUs. You can also try Nexabiotic® Probiotic Gummies. These delicious strawberry and orange gummies are a great way to take your daily dose of probiotics. Each gummy contains Bacillis coagulans, probiotic along with a multivitamin and omega-3. It is certified Kosher and is an easy way for kids to get probiotics, multivitamins, and omega-3. Protect your body indigestion and lactose intolerance with DrFormulas™ Digestive Enzymes Supplement with its blend of 18 different enzymes, including lactase, amylase, and lipase. It provides you with all the enzymes you need to digest and absorb food without discomfort.

Maintaining a balanced diet will help you stay fit and healthy during your senior years and may also reduce your risk of infection and disease. Proper supplementation can help to make sure your body has all the nutrients it needs to function. Stay young at heart and in body and mind with a balanced diet and natural lifestyle. Adding supplements to your routine can help give your body all the nutrients it needs. Try DrFormulas™ supplements for seniors today!

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10448529

[2] http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/36/5/986.abstract

[3] http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/75/4/611.full

[4] http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Rubbing_it_in