Switching from regular vitamins to vitamins for senior citizens is one of the few things adults at 60 are taking for granted. We think that all vitamins are equal. The truth is, not every vitamin on the shelf is beneficial for your health, especially if you are already of senior age.
At 60, our bodies may need a decreased or increased dosage of certain vitamins and minerals. Thus, we must evaluate our dietary requirements to know which vitamins to buy. That is why this article will give you a list of the 10 best vitamins for senior citizens to buy online and a buying guide to help with your purchase.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Before purchasing vitamin supplements, you should check with your physician first to help you identify which vitamins you need. Your vitamins will depend on your dietary habits, lifestyle, activities, and underlying conditions. That said, here are some of the common vitamins beneficial for seniors.
Calcium is crucial in maintaining bone density. And, when reach the age of 50, our bones lose mass and density, which can put us at risk of osteoporosis. This means seniors require an intake of 1,200 mg of calcium daily as our bodies don’t produce it naturally. We can get calcium by eating calcium rich-food and drinking 2 cups of milk a day. Another way is by taking calcium supplements.
B vitamins are often found in the food we eat, but since senior individuals have the tendency to become picky eaters, they don’t get enough of these vitamins. Therefore, they need to take supplements that have B Vitamins. It should contain B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12. These vitamins support the functions of neurons, blood, and the brain.
When buying vitamins for seniors, you should take note that calcium functions well with the support of Vitamin D or D3, zinc, and magnesium. These help the body to absorb calcium. Moreover, not having enough of these two can increase your risk of osteoporosis. For optimum results, the amount of vitamin D should be above 400mg.
If you have high cholesterol levels, you might want to consider buying vitamin supplements that have Omega-3. This fatty acid helps reduce triglycerides in the bloodstream, therefore, lowering the risk of getting heart attacks and blocked arteries. Omega-3 also metabolizes LDL, or the bad cholesterol in the blood, and converts it into HDL or good cholesterol.
Our eyesight also deteriorates as we age, therefore seniors may occasionally need to take vitamins with lutein and zeaxanthin in them. Lutein and zeaxanthin are powerful antioxidants that safeguard your body against free radicals, thereby protecting your eyes against free radical damage and reducing the risk of macular degeneration.
Some vitamins may contain high levels of potassium and sodium, which can put you at
risk of high blood pressure and kidney disease. To make sure that you are taking care of your heart, check the amount of sodium and potassium in your vitamins. Seniors should not take more than 1,500mg of sodium and 4,500mg of potassium.
Vitamin E is a good vitamin, but it is not for everyone, especially if you have heart disease and diabetes. For one thing, it can interfere with medications used to treat these diseases. The other side effect of vitamin E is that it can cause internal bleeding. Since they are present in foods such as soya and avocado, you probably won’t need to take more.
A majority of vitamins come in tablets, softgels, or capsules. However, people with sensitive stomachs could choose coated pills to avoid problems. A slow-release formula is also recommended for people susceptible to acid reflux. These two forms only release the chemicals in the vitamins once it reaches the end of the stomach, therefore, they don’t cause pain or inconvenience.
It is important to check the amount of vitamins you need per day. Taking more or less of what is required can cause disorders or deficiencies. Too much iron, for example, can damage your liver. Likewise, less calcium intake, on the other hand, can contribute to musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoporosis.
When purchasing supplements, it is always best to buy from trusted sellers. Check the seller's ratings and reviews to make sure the items you are about to buy are legit. Another thing is to check whether it is registered at the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
However, you must note that vitamins do not undergo testing from the FDA as they are not considered medicines. But, it would put your mind at ease to know that a product isn't unregistered before being sold in the market, as the FDA plays a role in regulating which ingredients are toxic when ingested.
Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants that helps the body stay healthy in many ways. If you are a senior, you would want to make sure you are getting antioxidants daily to keep your cells young and your body healthy. You’ll find Kirkland’s Mature Multi as the supplement that will fit you as it is formulated especially for senior age.
This product has all the vitamins and minerals plus the benefits of lycopene which prevents cataracts and cardiovascular diseases. It also contains the essential B vitamins that promote healthy neurons. Another good thing about this product is that it contains less potassium and zero sodium; therefore, it is ideal for people with high blood pressure.
Senior citizens may not get all the necessary nutrients they need from their diet. Thus, supplements like Centrum Silver may be beneficial as it has 25 vitamins and minerals plus antioxidants that aim to meet the nutrition requirements of senior adults. It also contains D3, which is efficient in maintaining bone density and muscle strength.
Additionally, it contains selenium, which can keep thyroid function healthy as our hormones fluctuate as we age. This household brand has been around for years, and now it is in an improved non-GMO and gluten-free formula that will be suitable for vegans. Plus, it is considered one of the most complete supplements on the market.
If you are looking for a straightforward vitamin supplement that has all the essential nutrients you need, you can trust Puritan's Pride ABC Plus Senior Multi. It is formulated for seniors as it contains just the right amount of nutrients that the body needs. It also contains B vitamins to support nerve, brain, and cell function.
B vitamins are not just beneficial for nerve and cell health but also for synthesizing vitamins you are taking from the food you eat. It converts it into energy that will improve your metabolism and prevent cell walls from storing fatty lipids. Plus, it has enzymes that promote a healthy gut. Most of all, this brand has added benefits of zinc which boosts immunity.
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If you're having trouble finding a supplement that is suitable for people with sensitive stomachs, Solgar's Calcium with Magnesium is worth checking out! The brand uses calcium citrate, which is considered a better form of calcium because it can be taken with an empty stomach and does not interact with anti-acid medicines.
Calcium citrate, magnesium, plus the benefits of D3, optimizes musculoskeletal and nervous function. Vitamin D3 has also been making a buzz lately for its benefits on the body, such as increasing immunity and getting rid of free radicals that cause cancer. Moreover, vitamin D also promotes proper absorption of calcium.
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If you have blurred vision, it could be a symptom of several illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart failure. To make sure you keep these parts of your body in tune, try a supplement that has lutein and zeaxanthin, such as Bausch and Lomb’s Ocuvite. Lutein and zeaxanthin are important carotenoids that protect eye tissues from sun damage that cause macular diseases.
Apart from lutein and zeaxanthin, this supplement also contains zinc and copper, which help strengthen your immunity against diseases, and Omega-3, which helps keep triglycerides at a healthy level to prevent high blood pressure and cholesterol. Altogether, these nutrients work better to promote better eyesight, promoting your overall wellness.
Solaray Adult 50+ Multivitamin is one of those once-daily vitamins that you'd want to be part of your routine. It is packed with vitamins and minerals formulated for your age, plus additional nutrients that you can't find in other supplements, such as alpha lipoic acid, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin.
Alpha lipoic acid reduces inflammation, while astaxanthin and zeaxanthin are helpful antioxidants that will keep cells healthy. It also has B vitamins to help your nervous system function properly, as well as bone-building nutrients like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D. The best part is it is vegan and derived from natural ingredients!
Naturelo’s One Daily Multivitamin for Women over 50 is packed with 24 essential vitamins and minerals that are sourced from real fruits and vegetables of the highest quality. It also contains nutritional cofactors, which are molecules the enzymes in our body require to function properly. This will help your body recognize and absorb nutrients.
Long-time users love how this supplement is organic and vegetarian. They said it is more effective for them than other supplements they have tried in the past, and they don’t feel any adverse reactions like nausea. Some even said it helped with their knee and joint pain!
Taking calcium alone is not enough to maintain healthy bone density and strength. It needs other minerals and vitamins, such as magnesium, zinc, and D3, to function fully. Therefore, if you want to have healthy bones, you'll need a supplement that has all these components, and Nature's Bounty Calcium Magnesium Zinc with D3 makes for a great choice!
Zinc is a trace mineral that holds other minerals that are needed for synthesizing other components for building bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D, on the other hand, helps the absorption of calcium from food and other sources. Meanwhile, magnesium converts Vitamin D into its active form to be used by the bones, cells, and kidneys.
Part of the reason why we tend to skip taking multivitamins is their size, which may be hard to swallow. Rainbow Light’s multivitamins come in mini tablets, which make them easier to swallow. The ingredients are made from an organic superfood vegetable blend that will provide your body with all its needed nutrients.
Superfoods contain the highest vitamins and minerals, which can help your body ward off diseases and keep your cells healthy. On top of that, it contains probiotics and enzymes that will support your gut health. Reviewers also liked how potent it is compared to other multivitamins, yet gentle on the stomach!
Cardiovascular problems, cholesterol, and high blood pressure often come with age, especially among men. Other than regular exercise, men over 50 may benefit from supplements that can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. One of the most effective ways is to take vitamin supplements that have co-enzymes, such as Swisse Men's 50+ Multivitamin.
This supplement contains CoQ10, a co-enzyme that produces cellular energy to prevent high blood pressure and rise in blood sugar levels. It reduces oxidative damage to the cell walls that cause muscle fatigue, inflammation, and cancer. Moreover, it contains all the nutrients men over 50 need for a healthier immune system, stronger bones, and improved metabolism.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
B-complex and vitamins A, C, K, and D3 are among the lists of vitamins that help maintain the nervous and cardiovascular function of elderly people. Alongside these, seniors should also include minerals such as calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and manganese to keep bones and muscles strong. On top of that, they can also add Omega-3 to maintain their sugar and triglyceride levels.
Vitamins for seniors will have different dosages compared to regular vitamins. Their daily requirement for certain vitamins such as B-6, B-12, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Calcium are increased. Moreover, vitamins for seniors have decreased amounts of Vitamin E, Iron, Sodium, and Potassium.
Life begins at 60, they say. That's true because this is the time when all your hard work starts paying off. You will have more time to do the things you have always wanted to do, and that includes your health and wellness. Check out these articles to find the best products for a healthier you!
Author: Joean Montayre
Editor: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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