Mature Multi Adult 50 Plus From Kirkland Signature
Look at our Best-Selling Brands chart, and you will notice the largest brand is actually private label offerings. Mature Multi is our value pick in the private label world. Kirkland Signature is the private label for Costco products.
The Kirkland product is USP Verified, specially formulated with calcium to support bone, teeth, and muscle health, and is fortified with Lycopene and Lutein, for additional vision support. The product
Consider The Medications Being Taken
Many older individuals have been prescribed medications such as over-the-counter drugs and even vitamins and supplements. There are several nutritional drinks that tend to interact with certain medications, which can cause adverse effects on a persons body. For instance, individuals taking Coumadin, an anticoagulant medicine, are strongly advised to avoid consuming large amounts of Vitamin K. This is because Vitamin K can seriously affect the efficiency of blood-thinning medications.
Always check with your doctor before buying a nutritional drink in order to prevent any adverse reactions with your current medications.
Best Vitamin Supplements For Seniors
Before we get into what we believe as the best vitamin supplements through our careful research, a word of advice: always go to your doctor before taking any drugs, including supplements. Since vitamins can be sold without FDA approval, theres no one like your doctor to advise you on which ones you should take, especially if youre already taking other medication.
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Benefits Of Vitamin D For Seniors
Vitamin D is possibly one of the most important vitamins for seniors, considering its relationship with calcium. Without vitamin D, our bodies can not properly absorb calcium. Without a proper balance of both vitamin D and calcium, you may not be providing your body with proper nutrition.
Vitamin D is also one of the best vitamins for seniors because it is host to a wide array of health benefits, including:
- Regulating insulin levels
- Strengthening and supporting our immune, brain, and nervous systems
- Helping with lung function
- Improving cardiovascular health
In Canada, vitamin D fortification is mandated for foods such as margarine, cows milk and substitutes, egg products, meal replacements, and nutritional supplements.
Vitamin D is also one of the easiest vitamins to obtain naturally. At Origin Active Lifestyle Communities, we encourage our community members to partake in outdoor activities frequently as part of an active lifestyle and the sun is the perfect natural source for vitamin D. Of course, during the colder months in Canada, we typically do not get as much sun as we need to produce adequate vitamin D. For this reason, Osteoporosis Canada recommends taking supplements of vitamin D to help offset deficiencies year-round.
Tips For Getting The Best Multivitamin For Seniors
Here are a few tips you can follow to select the best Multivitamin brand
- Look for a Multivitamin with USP or NF on the label, which means they have been tested and are following drug standards.
- Take note that the term natural is not always a guarantee of a safe product, and the only trust trusted brands in natural products.
- Always consider the name Brand and reputation of the brand and research them.
- Avoid any product with unrealistic claims to heal and treat health conditions.
- Follow the dosage instructions and never increase the dosages.
- Use only one new supplement at a time to see how your body reacts and if there may be allergic reactions.
If you are on any prescription medication or other supplements, I advise seeking medical advice first before using a Multivitamin.
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Why Should You Purchase Nutritional Drinks
Many seniors are highly susceptible to a number of illnesses and diseases because of age. As mentioned previously, the lack of appetite and possible under-nutrition are two of the most common health problems associated with aging.
Nutritional drinks are extremely beneficial in such situations because their main purpose is to provide you with daily power and energy boosts to help you get through the day without any loss of energy or appetite. These drinks are super easy to make, require no preparation, and are easy to swallow.
Aging can severely affect your energy levels, bone health, weaken your joints and lead to serious weight loss. Nutritional drinks are like an all-in-one product that addresses these health issues in the elderly, aiding them to keep fit, healthy, and active.
Think of them as delicious, nutritious, flavored, on-the-go drinks that are full of rich flavor that packs your body with its daily dose of essential nutrients! Enjoy your day!
Best Nutritional Drink For The Elderly
Loss of appetite is a common and dangerous problem among the elderly that leads to malnourishment and major weight loss. It is also one of the biggest causes of increased mortality in older adults.
As you age, your nutritional needs undergo significant changes, and it is vital for you to follow a healthy diet in order to adapt to the changing nutritional requirements of your body. The elderly need a proper, well-balanced diet in order to get all the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to stay fit and improve their overall health.
However, most seniors tend to experience under-nutrition due to various factors such as difficulties in chewing and swallowing, trouble preparing healthy meals, lack of motivation to eat, etc. In such circumstances, the problem of undernourishment among aging adults can be duly addressed with the help of energy-boosting nutritional drinks.
As the name suggests, nutritional drinks are packed with essential nutrients that our bodies need to stay healthy, such as vitamins, protein, and fiber. They also provide balanced amounts of fat, carbohydrate, and protein. The best part about these drinks is that they make for excellent supplements or snacks between meals that the elderly can have to add the necessary nutrients to their diet as well as gain the desired amount of calories.
With so many options available out there, here is our top pick when it comes to the best nutritional drink for the elderly.
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How To Diagnose A Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The best way to see if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency is to visit your healthcare provider and take a blood test. On the day of your visit, your doctor will ask you about your medical history and draw blood to determine your B12 levels in blood serum. This blood test will analyze serum levels and can also help determine if you have any other vitamin deficiencies.
Your doctor may also order a methylmalonic acid test to confirm the results of the blood test. In certain cases, your doctor may recommend a bone marrow biopsy to determine the source of the deficiency.
Often, seniors will experience both vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies at the same time. Thats because both of these nutrients play a key role in blood cell production and can be inhibited by medical conditions. If your doctor determines you have a deficiency, they may recommend you get vitamin B12 injections or take vitamin B12 supplements.
You can take oral vitamin B12 supplements, or the doctor may recommend certain foods that contain large amounts of B12. Some individuals will only need to take these supplements for a short period while others, particularly those with anemia, may need to take them long-term.
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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Multivitamins For Men Over 50
We use mens and womens in this article to align with how companies market their products, but there is no need to stick to one or the other. A person should choose the product with the fit, style, and features that work best for them.
The best product for an individual will depend on their particular circumstances, such as their age, any medications they take, their health status, and other factors. A doctor or dietitian can advise on this.
The product options below:
- contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals
- contain doses that are suitable for male adults
- have undergone testing by a third party for quality and safety
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based.
- Dosage: 2 capsules daily
- Ingredients:folate, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K2
This capsule multivitamin contains 10 essential vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, vitamin K2, and boron. People can take out a subscription, and Ritual will deliver this product each month.
A person receives 100% or more of the daily value for vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate with this product. However, the levels of the other vitamins and minerals are lower.
Ritual states that its multivitamins are traceable and that it includes on its website the vitamin and mineral country of origin. The company makes each bottle out of 100% recycled material.
Can Nutrition Drinks Serve As A Meal Replacement
Nutrition drinks come in a variety of forms. Both light and max options are on the market. For these drinks to replace a meal, it will need to provide around 400 calories per serving. Harvard Health also offers advice on the ideal nutritional ratio for a replacement shake :
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10 to 20 grams of protein
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Less than 6 grams of fat
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Around 40 grams or less of carbohydrate
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Should I Take A Dietary Supplement
Eating a variety of healthy foods is the best way to get the nutrients you need. However, some people may not get enough vitamins and minerals from their daily diet. When thats the case, their doctors may recommend a dietary supplement to provide missing nutrients.
If you are thinking about using dietary supplements:
What Are The Effects Of Vitamin C Deficiency In Your Body
Vitamin C deficiency can lead to various ailments, such as scurvy. Scurvy is a relatively uncommon or rare disease caused by the lack of vitamin C in your body. The most common symptoms of this condition are loss of blood from the gums, fatigue and weakness, bruises all over the body, and rashes on the skin.
People with Vitamin C deficiency can also have vision loss. Vision loss in old age is mainly due to the weakening of the muscles of the eyes. Regular vitamin C consumption can delay this weakening of the muscles and allow you to have good eyesight for a longer time.
According to a research study based on the progression of age-related muscle degeneration, people that had vitamin C supplements and diet had a 25% slower progression of age-related muscle degeneration. These people also had 15% more sharpness and clarity in their eyes.
Lack of vitamin C can also increase hypertension or high blood pressure. Scientists are still working on finding the best effect of vitamin C on blood pressure. As of now, their relationship is not entirely clear.
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Benefits Of Calcium For Strong Bones
While calcium is not a vitamin, it is an important mineral and one of the nutrients essential to healthy living. If we deny our body calcium or do not get enough calcium, it begins to absorb it from our own skeleton, which can cause our bones to weaken and increase our risk of injury. Building up calcium levels can help build and maintain stronger bones, and it is also aids in the function of our hearts, muscles, and nervous system.
Vitamins For The Elderly Benefits
Before taking a new multivitamin, take the time to discuss your dietary needs with your health care provider. He or she can provide you with advice regarding what nutrients are most important for you, so that you can choose the ideal supplement. To ensure best results, make sure to follow the directions provided by the manufacturer unless your medical provider tells you otherwise.
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My Recommended Daily Dose For Vitamin D In Older Adults
For most older adults, I recommend a supplement of vitamin D 1000 IU/day.
I do this because:
- The American Geriatrics Society recommends that clinicians tell older patients to take vitamin D 1000 IU/day, to help prevent fractures.
I also do this because:
- Many older adults have risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. These include having osteoporosis and spending limited time outdoors.
- The skin becomes less able to synthesize vitamin D as people get older.
- Vitamin D seems to be involved in muscle function. Some research has suggested it can help reduce falls, other research hasnt confirmed this finding. Either way, it seems sensible to avoid frank deficiency.
- In the vast majority of older people, taking vitamin D 1000 IU as a supplement every day has very low risk of harm.
- Research suggests that taking vitamin D 1000 IU/day will prevent low vitamin D levels in most older adults.
Other expert groups have provided similar vitamin D guidance. For instance, in 2010 the Institute of Medicine published a report with age-based Recommended Daily Allowances for vitamin D in normal healthy persons. For people aged 1-70, they recommended 600 IU/day. For people aged 71+, they recommended 800 IU/day.
Research suggests that low levels of vitamin D are common in older adults who dont take supplements, but are uncommon in those who do take supplemental vitamin D.
Vitamins And Minerals For Older Adults
Vitamins help your body grow and work the way it should. There are 13 essential vitamins vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins .
Vitamins have different jobs to help keep the body working properly. Some vitamins help you resist infections and keep your nerves healthy, while others may help your body get energy from food or help your blood clot properly. By following the Dietary Guidelines, you will get enough of most of these vitamins from food.
Like vitamins, minerals also help your body function. Minerals are elements that our bodies need to function that can be found on the earth and in foods. Some minerals, like iodine and fluoride, are only needed in very small quantities. Others, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are needed in larger amounts. As with vitamins, if you eat a varied diet, you will probably get enough of most minerals.
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Rainbow Light 50+ Mini
This Mini-Tablet from Rainbow Light fits the bill for a comprehensive supplement. Theres enzymes, antioxidant-rich plants, and a wide range of nutrients, including vitamin D along with calcium and magnesium. And the antioxidant vitamins so crucial to health later in life are also well represented.
What we like: Rainbow Light checks all the right vitamin and mineral boxes. They provide a generous supply of probiotics to encourage a healthy gut flora. That, in turn, aids digestion. These are highly pure, high-quality tablets completely free of GMOs and common food allergens.
Flaws: The tablets are not as small as the word mini implies. Also, folate and B12 are not in methylated forms.
Recommended Vitamin B12 Dosage For Seniors
The proper vitamin B12 dosage for seniors depends on if they have underlying health conditions and how severe their deficiency is. In some cases, doctors may recommend high doses more than 1,000 micrograms per day. A recent study found that for seniors, a daily dose of 500 micrograms was efficient in reversing the signs of B12 deficiency.
In general, experts recommend 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day for people over the age of 14. You can get these amounts from taking dietary supplements like multivitamins, B12 supplementation including sublingual tablets, or by eating certain foods rich in vitamin B12.
There is no one recommended vitamin B12 dosage for seniors. Rather, the right daily intake will largely depend on your specific situation. Make an appointment to talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.
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The Free Radical Theory Of Aging
The Free Radical Theory of Aging proposed that damage to cellular mechanisms and tissues occurs because of damage resulting from oxidative stress on the organism due to free oxygen radicals. Endogenous oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA is thought to be a contributing factor in aging and the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and cataract formation.
There is a hypothesized effect, which relates to antioxidant vitamins and aging. Certain antioxidant compounds might scavenge these damaging free oxygen radicals and prevent cellular destruction and aging. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, often referred to as antioxidant vitamins, have been suggested to limit oxidative damage in humans and lower the risk of certain chronic diseases.
