Best Vitamins For Over 60 Female

Does Medicare Cover Vitamin Supplements For Seniors

There are a few instances in which Medicare may provide coverage for vitamins and supplements for beneficiaries.

• Niacin and Vitamin D may be covered by Medicare Part B when prescribed by a doctor to treat a certain condition.
• Part B may also cover vitamin supplements as part of a nutrition therapy program for the treatment of diabetes, kidney disease or recovery from a kidney transplant.
• Some Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage may include certain vitamins and supplements in their drug formularies.

You can compare Part D plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online in as little as 10 minutes by visiting MyRxPlans.com.4

Speak to your doctor about any vitamins or dietary supplements that may be recommended for you.

Find a Medicare Advantage plan that supports your healthy lifestyle

Or call 1-800-557-6059TTY Users: 711 24/7 to speak with a licensed insurance agent.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not healthcare advice. Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about your specific healthcare needs.

About the author

Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles hes written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.

Best Vitamins For Women 50

Age-related changes in our bodies warrant different key nutrients to stay healthy. Vitamins formulated for women over 50 can help fill in nutrient gaps.

Taylor Leamey

Taylor Leamey writes about all things wellness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in both Psychology and Sociology and is a certified sleep coach.

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As we age, our bodies and their nutritional needs change. When we’re younger, we may need more iron from our diet or supplements to offset what we lose during menstruation. Postmenopause, our bodies don’t need the same amount of iron to stay healthy. Aging also affects how our bodies absorb nutrients from our food, like in the case of vitamin B12. Even if you haven’t needed a supplement up until now, you might find that you now may benefit from one.

While you can combat any possible nutrient deficiencies with a well-balanced diet, it can be difficult to manage consistently. Sometimes, you need a little help. The best multivitamins for women over 50 can help ensure your body gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Thorne Women’s Multi 50 Plus is the best overall multivitamin for women over 50 because of its robust nutritional value. It’s one of the most comprehensive multivitamins available. Thorne supplements include key nutrients like folate, biotin, calcium, iodine, boron, vitamin A, C, D, E and various B vitamins.

Price: $46 for 180 capsules

Dosage: 6 capsules per day

Thorne best features:

Things to consider:

Best Vegan Women’s Multivitamin

Ritual Essential for Women is vegan, gluten, and major-allergen-free, focusing on brain health, bone health, blood-building, and antioxidant support.

Pros: Vegan, subscription model with free shipping for easy refills, free of gluten and major allergens, no artificial colorants or synthetic fillers, good for brain and bone health, infused with mint for freshness

Cons: Not found in stores

Bottle count: 30 capsules

Suggested use: Take two capsules daily with or without food

A 2016 study in the Journal of Osteopathic Association found vegans are often deficient in vitamin B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Ritual Essential for Women is completely vegan and outlines a visible supply chain of ingredients so you know what you’re intaking. Ritual’s supplements are designed to boost brain and bone health, promote red blood cell formation, and provide antioxidant support with vitamin E.

Ritual’s vitamins are also gluten- and allergen-free. The brand operates on a unique direct-to-door subscription model, automatically sending a fresh bottle to you each month so you’ll never run out.

Vegan multivitamins tend to include plant-based ingredients, like calcium. While some calcium supplements are oyster-shell based, Ritual uses vegan-certified ingredients, like vitamin D, to rid worries of consuming a multivitamin using shellfish in the manufacturing process.

Read Also: What Vitamin Brands Are Usp Certified

Best Overall: Pure Encapsulations One Multivitamin

• One serving is just one capsule

• Gluten-free and non-GMO

• Has a distinct odor/taste

Who else recommends it? The Strategist, Prevention, and Forbes all picked Pure Encapsulations O.N.E. Multivitamin.

What do buyers say? 92% of 5,800+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

We’re giving top honors to this product, which is designed to support healthy cognitive function, cellular health, eye health, and overall daily wellness. In addition to providing highly bioavailable forms of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, each convenient once-daily capsule contains important vitamins and minerals like choline, inositol, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Another plus? One serving also has over 100% of the recommended daily intake of folate in its most bioavailable form.

Do note, though, that this supplement doesn’t contain iron, so vegans, vegetarians, or pregnant women might need to choose an additional supplement.

Type: Capsules | Age Range: Teens and adults | Dosage: Once daily | Certified: Non-GMO, gluten-free

Price at time of publish: $41

How To Choose Multivitamins

Some features that females may wish to consider when choosing multivitamins include:

A person should always consult a doctor before taking a new vitamin or supplement.

helps the body produce healthy red blood cells.

According to the NIH, vegetarians, older adults, and people with celiac or Crohns disease may be at risk of developing a B12 deficiency.

Foods that contain this vitamin include beef liver, clams, and tuna, among others.

Read Also: How Much Vitamin C Can Your Body Absorb

Sea Buckthorn Oil To Overcome Dryness

Sea Buckthorn oil to overcome dryness

• Ingredients: Sea buckthorn berry oil, sea buckthorn seed oil, other ingredients: kosher gelatin .
• The best source of omega-7 is sea buckthorn berry oil. It has the highest omega-7 in nature, which moisturizes and reduces dryness in the hair and skin. This omega-7 source is the most nutritious, vegan, and sustainable.

How Much Is Too Much

If you are browsing multivitamin labels and notice that some nutrients exceed 100% of the recommended percent daily value, dont stress. We all have unique bodies and absorb vitamins and minerals differently. To account for this, companies often add slightly higher amounts to ensure you are getting the minimal, if not optimal, effect.

One exception would be for fat-soluble vitamins, which are vitamins A, D, E, and K. The body stores these vitamins in fat tissues and the liver. This means that you can start to accumulate them in quite high amounts that could reach near toxic levels and have detrimental health consequences. It is wise to discuss the dosage of these nutrients with a healthcare provider.

Read Also: Is Vitamin D Deficiency Serious

What Do Women Over 50 Need In A Multivitamin

There are a few specific things you should be on the lookout for when shopping for the best multivitamins for women over 50 . Supplements geared toward mature women are formulated much differently than your average daily multivitamin, and with good reason! As we get older, we require a higher daily intake of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3 .

Thanks to a natural decrease in bone density, our bones become more delicate as we age. Adding multivitamins rich in calcium and vitamin D3 to your diet can help strengthen them, reducing your chances of fractures, breaks, or developing osteoporosis.

What Are Vitamins And Minerals

So, what exactly are vitamins and minerals, and how can they help you?

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that our bodies need to develop and function normally. They are often called micronutrients because your body needs only tiny amounts of them. Yet failing to get even those small quantities creates nutrient deficiencies, which can virtually guarantee problems. Since your body produces only limited amounts of vitamins, youre dependent on diet and supplementation to meet your daily requirements for these essential vitamins and minerals.

There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored by the body. Since they are eliminated in the urine, we require a daily supply in our diet. The water-soluble vitamins include the vitamin B-complex group and vitamin C.

Fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are stored in fat before they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Any excess of these vitamins is stored in the liver, and they are not necessarily needed every day. However, you have to be careful not to take in too much of these as they can lead to toxicity.

Of course, regardless of the form, its important to have a balance of all of these essential nutrients over time so that your body can function at its best.

Also Check: Don’t Use Vitamin C Serum With

Herbal Supplements And Older Adults

Herbal supplements are dietary supplements that come from plants. These types of supplements are taken by mouth, whether its by a capsule, tablet, powder, or liquid.

A few that you may have heard of are ginkgo biloba, ginseng, echinacea, and black cohosh. Researchers are looking at using herbal supplements to prevent or treat some health problems, but its too early to know if these are both safe and useful. Previous studies of certain herbal supplements have not shown any benefits.

Its important to know that just because a supplement is natural, or comes from plants, that doesnt necessarily mean its safe.

The Worst Multivitamins For Seniors

1. Centrum Silver

The #1 Doctor recommended multivitamin makes my #1 for the worst multivitamin. Made by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, it brings in close to 1 billion in sales. Centrum uses synthetic vitamin E and potentially synthetic beta-carotene .

Synthetic versions of beta-carotene have been shown to increase the risk of cancer in heavy smokers and drinkers, and accelerated the death and shortened the life span of rats exposed to radiation. But the natural form of beta-carotene decreased the death rate and significantly increased the life span of exposed rats.

Synthetic vitamin E has been shown to have little or no anticancer effectiveness, and may even increase prostate cancer. Centrum uses the oxide form of magnesium, which only 4% is absorbed. The poor form of B6 , folate and B12 are also used.

Folic acid appears to be potentially problematic as I explained here. The formula is missing K2 and boron .

Centrum contains hydrogenated palm oil, a trans-fat highly correlated to heart disease, not to mention bushels of corn additives and all the horrible artificial colors including FD#C Blue #2, Yellow #6 and Red #40 found to disrupt mitochondrial function .

2. Mens One a Day and Womens One a Day 50+

Like B12, vitamin D synthesis goes down as we age. Along with the wrong calcium/magnesium ratio, this formula does not contain boron, inositol or K2.

3. Kirkland Adults 50+ Mature Multi

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Women Over 55 One Daily From Mega Food

Another solid complete multivitamin and mineral supplement for women is Mega Food. Mega-Food meets all our criteria: Non-GMO, vegetarian, manufactured in a cGMP facility, third-party tested, dairy, and soy-free.

This product is made with real food, such as oranges, broccoli, and brown rice, to help you meet all of your nutritional needs. It is tailored specifically for a womens needs with B-vitamins for energy, vitamin D to help maintain bone health, and beta carotene and vitamin C and vitamin E to aid immune health.

Gentle on the stomach take one tablet any time of day, even on an empty stomach.

Vitamin And Mineral Recommendations For People Over 50

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 recommends how much of each vitamin and mineral men and women of different ages need. For example:

Vitamin B12: 2.4 mcg each day. If you are taking medicine for acid reflux, you might need a different form, which your health care provider can give you information about.

Calcium: Women over age 50 need 1,200 mg each day. Men need 1,000 mg between age 51 and 70 and 1,200 mg after 70, but not more than 2,000 mg a day.

Vitamin D: 600 IU for people age 51 to 70 and 800 IU for those over 70, but not more than 4,000 IU each day.

Vitamin B6: 1.7 mg for men and 1.5 mg for women each day.

Sometimes, too much of a vitamin or mineral can be harmful. Most if not all of your daily vitamins and minerals should come from food. When thinking about whether you need more of a vitamin or mineral, think about how much of each nutrient you get from food and drinks, as well as from any supplements you take. Check with a doctor or dietitian to learn whether you need to supplement your diet.

For a comprehensive list of vitamin and mineral intake levels for older adults, visit NIAs article on vitamins and minerals or the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , 2020-2025 .

Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Does The Body Need Daily

Best For Bone Health: Garden Of Life Living Calcium Advanced

• Serving size is six caplets

Garden of Lifes Living Calcium contains 1000 milligrams of calcium per serving, along with nourishing nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin K, zinc, copper, and B vitaminsa combination that supports the various interactions that lead to bone growth, formation, and repair. Also, this supplement is vegetarian-friendly, as it is made with nutrients derived from plant-based sources.

Type: Caplets | Age Range: Teens and adults | Dosage: 6 caplets per day | Certified: Soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, B-corporation, NSF

Price at time of publish: $31

Best Gummy Multivitamin For Women Over 50

Those looking for a gummy multivitamin instead of a tablet or pill should keep SmartyPants Masters Formula Women 50 Plus on their list. It’s our pick for the best gummy vitamin for women over 50. This multivitamin includes various nutrients like folate, vitamins A, C, D, B6 and B12. You also get lutein for eye health. It doesn’t include iron to accommodate the needs of women over 50.

When it comes to gummy multivitamins, we have to talk about sugar. With the delicious flavors comes the high sugar content. User reviews point to SmartyPants gummies tasting really good and not leaving any sort of aftertaste in your mouth. Still, SmartyPants multivitamins have a considerable amount of sugar at 6 grams per serving.

Price: $30 for 180 gummies

Dosage: 4 gummies per day

SmartyPants best features:

• SmartyPants multivitamins for women over 50 are made in CGMP-compliant facilities. These are third-party testing facilities that ensure purity. However, the name of these third-party organizations are not available.
• In addition to a solid nutritional profile, users say they taste really good.

Things to consider:

• SmartyPants has a high sugar content that some people may want to avoid.
• Four gummies may be more than you want to manage each day.

Recommended Reading: What Vitamins Make Your Immune System Stronger

Best With Iron: Rainbow Light Prenatal One Multivitamin

• One serving is just one tablet

• Contains 27 milligrams of iron

• Contains soy, wheat, and milk traces

Although this product is technically a prenatal vitamin, any woman of childbearing age can take a prenatal multivitamin and benefit from the breadth and potency of its nutrients. This one is particularly great for anyone who wants to add iron to their diet, as it contains 27 milligrams per serving. Plus, unlike many prenatal vitamins that require multiple tablets per dose, you get everything you need in one tablet, here. FYI: When taking a supplement that contains iron, do not take it with coffee, tea, bran, or milk, as this can affect absorption.

Type: Tablet | Age Range: Women 18+ | Dosage: Once daily | Certified: Non-GMO, raw, clean, vegetarian, gluten-free

Price at time of publish: $12

Which Vitamins Should Women Over 50 Take On A Regular Basis

A complete multivitamin for women over 50 should include a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins B6, B12, and D.

While women over 50 also have increased needs for calcium, calcium supplements may not be safe or appropriate for everyone.

Specific nutrients and doses should be considered on an individual basis. Nutrient needs change with age, and some people may have different needs than others. For this reason, its important to meet with a healthcare professional to discuss your best options.

Also Check: What Are The Best Vitamins For Dogs

How Often Should I Take Multivitamins

Most multivitamins are designed to be taken daily, though some may contain more than 100% of the DV for some nutrients. Therefore, if you already eat a nutrient-dense diet, taking them daily may lead to over-consuming certain vitamins and minerals (

Its important to discuss any new supplements with a healthcare professional before starting them.

Is It Good To Take A Multivitamin Every Day

Studies have shown that a multivitamin daily can help some individuals meet their needs, in others it may lead to excessive intakes of nutrients .

For this reason, its important to carefully read supplement labels and identify any nutrients that youre already consuming regularly, either through your diet or through other supplements.

Another important factor is the types of vitamins included in a product.

Water-soluble vitamins, like B vitamins and vitamin C, are easily excreted in your urine when consumed in excess. However, fat-soluble vitamins vitamins A, D, E, and K can build up in your body, potentially leading to toxicity .

Its a good idea to check with a healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement, including a multivitamin.

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