Aging is a natural process that we all go through. But when it comes to aging, there are some things you can do to make the process easier on your body and mind. One of these steps is taking care of what goes into your body.
Vitamins and nutrients play an essential role in keeping our bodies healthy, happy, and strong as we age. In this blog post, I will be discussing the ten vitamins and nutrients required for aging adults!
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Vitamin C
The first vitamin I want to discuss is Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps keep our immune system strong and can help fight off infection. It’s also an antioxidant, which helps protect our cells from damage. Elderly adults need at least 75 mg of Vitamin C per day.
Vitamin D
Next up is Vitamin D. This vitamin is vital for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. Elderly adults need at least 600 IU of Vitamin D per day. While Vitamin D can be found in foods, getting more of the vitamin through doctor-directed testosterone treatments is another option.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega-three fatty acids are also crucial for older adults’ health. They have been shown to reduce inflammation and may have some memory-boosting benefits as well!
Vitamin B12
Another essential vitamin for aging adults is Vitamin B12. This vitamin helps keep our energy levels up and supports healthy nerve function. Adults over 50 should be getting around 250 – 300 mcg of Vitamin B12 per day.
Folate
Folate is another crucial vitamin for aging adults. This vitamin helps keep our blood healthy and reduces the risk of heart disease. Elderly adults need around 400 – 800 mcg of folate per day.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the immune system, eyes, brain, and skin health. In addition, it helps to protect cells from damage and has anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin E can be found in nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil.
Protein
Another nutrient that’s crucial for aging adults is protein. Protein plays a vital role in maintaining muscle mass, especially when paired with exercise. It also helps build and repair tissues throughout the body, giving aging adults solid bones and muscles while fighting off illnesses like arthritis.
Vitamin A
The vitamin that is most commonly associated with healthy eyesight is Vitamin A. This nutrient plays a crucial role in keeping eyes healthy and reducing the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, dry eyes, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy—metabolism in the body which assists with preventing vision loss due to diabetes, thyroid disease.
Iron
Iron is one of the essential vitamins for aging adults. A lack of iron can cause anemia, which leads to fatigue, weakness, and other health problems. Therefore, older adults should make sure they get enough iron from their diet or through a supplement.
Calcium
Calcium is one of the essential nutrients for aging adults. It is required to maintain strong bones and teeth. Still, it also helps support healthy blood pressure and reduce risk factors that can lead to cardiovascular disease like high cholesterol levels and obesity.
In conclusion, there are ten essential vitamins and nutrients that aging adults should be mindful of. If they do not regularly include these in their diet, then it is likely that health complications will arise.
