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.....It is true that people of great maturity do have unique nutritional requirements. Many of these nutrients are not just for senior citizens; they can be applied to almost everyone. As a body matures, maintenance becomes a difficult undertaking, not for the faint of heart. Many of the health concerns faced by seniors today didn’t begin last week. Heart disease develops slowly over years, and its acute symptoms may take dozens of years to show up. That is why I like the phrase, “If you don’t make time for health and fitness now, you will be forced to make time for sickness later.” Lets look at some supplements that can help seniors, and those who are approaching the “Golden Years”, stay healthy.
.....My favorite supplement for everything and everyone, both young and old, is a good multi-vitamin. If you only do one thing for your health, make sure you take a multi-vitamin. The cost per day is less than most people pay for car insurance and its health benefits are too numerous to mention. I could go on and on about how people who take multivitamins have lower rates of infection, heart disease and cancer, but I won’t. I only have one page to fill. |
.....The mineral selenium comes to mind when I think of senior men and their health. A lower intake of this mineral has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Selenium is one of the main parts of an antioxidant
 enzyme in your body called glutathione peroxidase. Low levels of this enzyme are very common when there is little selenium found in the local soil. Some studies showed that when people who lived in selenium-deficient areas were given selenium supplements, their risk of developing certain cancers declined. The usual dose is about 50mcg per day, but no more than 400mcg/day. Taking too much can cause symptoms of ‘selenium-
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toxicity’; such as nausea, depression, and nervousness. The best dietary sources of selenium include nuts, unrefined grains, brown rice, wheat germ, and seafood. But the amount of selenium in these foods may be difficult to predict, because their selenium content is dependant upon the soil they were grown in. It is unlikely that people will get too much selenium from their diet, in fact the opposite might be true.
.....Osteoporosis is a great concern for seniors, both women and men. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is very important in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Women over the age of 50 should get at least 1500mg of elemental calcium per day. While this is possible without supplements, taking extra calcium in the form of supplements can ensure you get this amount. I often get asked which form of calcium is best. The best form of calcium is the kind that you remember to take. It is true that calcium citrate is slightly better absorbed than calcium carbonate, but the difference is not very significant. Adequate vitamin D intake plays a more important role in calcium absorption than which form of calcium you take. |
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