Vitamin Supplements For Seniors: What Should You Take?
By Linda Polansky

There is a lot of conflicting research out there about whetheror not vitamin supplements are beneficial and necessary, orsometimes whether they can even be harmful. The truth is, thatmost experts agree that a healthy, balanced diet is all mostpeople need to get all the vitamins their bodies require. Atthe same time, many of these same experts recommend that abasic daily multivitamin is probably a good idea. In addition,there are some groups of people that are specifically prone to certain vitamin deficiencies, and these can be prevented withvitamin supplements. Senior citizens are one of these groups,for several reasons. Older people often do not eat a balanceddiet or eat much smaller amounts of food. As our bodies age,the rate at which we can absorb different vitamins or howefficiently our bodies use them can change, changing our intakeneeds. At the same time, metabolic processes also slow, whichmeans it may take longer to work excess amounts of fat solublevitamins like A, E, and K out of the system, therefore reducingintake needs. Seniors may spend less time outdoors and get lesssunlight, which can lead to vitamin D deficiency. Some elderlypeople may also have deficiencies of B vitamins, one of thesymptoms of which is dementia. What should you take and whatelse do you need to know?
First of all, you should know that vitamin supplements are notregulated by the FDA and should not promise to treat or cureany particular diseases. Also, some vitamin supplements mayhave either a negative effect on the absorption of medications,or increase the effect of some medications. Since most seniorstake at least one medication on a daily basis, it is veryimportant to discuss vitamin supplement use with your doctorthe same way you would discuss a new medication. When you buyvitamin supplements, look carefully at dosages and to seewhether they have extra ingredients in them. Shopping for thebest price is fine, studies have shown no difference betweenlow cost and high cost versions of the same vitaminsupplements. Vitamin D supplements, coupled with calcium, aremost likely to be recommended for older people, particularlywomen, because of their role in helping to maintain bone massand density. Some studies have shown that antioxidant vitaminslike A and E can help reduce the risk of Alzheimers, but thishas not been proven.
About the Author: Linda Polansky writes about Vitamin A, Besthealth vitamins http://www.buyvitaminsmart.com/
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