Do I Need Supplements After 60? A Calm Guide to Vitamins for Older Adults

 



Have you ever opened your pill organizer in the morning, seen it full of supplement bottles, and sighed? "Do I really need all of these? Which one can I skip?" It is a story I hear often.

In fact, most older adults take supplements. A U.S. survey found that more than eight in ten adults age 65 and older take them, with vitamins and minerals being the most common.

Why do we reach for supplements as we age?

There are three main reasons.

First, appetite changes and we eat less than we used to. Second, the body becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients from food. Third, worries about bones, eyes, and memory grow.

Supplements that come up often

  1. Vitamin D — Needed for bone health. Our bodies make it from sunlight, but it is easy to run low when we spend most of our time indoors.
  2. Vitamin B12 — Known to become harder to absorb from food as we age.
  3. Calcium — Needed to protect bones. It is also found in foods like milk, small fish, and tofu.
  4. Omega-3 — Made from fish oil and often mentioned in conversations about heart and blood vessel health.

Things to be careful about

  • If you take prescription medicine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist first. Supplements can interact with medicines.
  • More is not always better. Check the recommended amount on the bottle.
  • Supplements cannot replace meals. Food comes first.
  • Bringing your supplement bottles to your appointment and showing them to your doctor is a good idea.

Listening to your body's signals and asking an expert when you are unsure — that is the most reassuring health habit of all.

This article is general information only. Please talk with your doctor for advice about your own health.

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