Many seniors are on a program of vitamins to supplement their balanced diet. However, those vitamins may not be as necessary as you think.
As a person ages, his appetite is likely to drop, and there may be other physiological changes that cause a person to eat lesser than before. As a result, many seniors begin taking nutritional and herbal supplements, including multivitamins. However, a study by Emory University finds that those vitamins may not really be necessary.
It is estimated that as many as 50% of adults above the age of 65 take multivitamins and supplements every day. However according to the study, only a quarter of seniors actually need these supplements. Most of them can simply make changes to their diet that can provide them all the additional nutrients that they need without having to pop a pill every day.
Not only are vitamins and supplements an unnecessary expense for many senior citizens, but in some cases, they could actually cause harm. There can be too much of a good thing, and if you have too much of certain types of nutrients when your body doesn’t need them, you could experience health complications.
There are some types of supplements like vitamin B6, B12 and folate that some senior citizens may need. However, there isn’t any need for greater intake of vitamin C. As a person ages, large quantities vitamin C is not likely to help maintain good health, if the senior does not smoke.
Vitamin E is another supplement that many seniors take believing that it will enhance good health, but it does not really make all that much of difference to overall health. Most seniors don’t need additional copper supplements either. Vitamin D may be a good choice because as a person ages, there are changes in the way that the skin makes vitamin D.
Instead of popping multivitamins on your own, speak to a doctor about whether these are really necessary for you.
Our home senior care services can help with planning and attending doctor’s appointments, medication dispensing and other tasks. Call to find out how a home care companion can help keep your loved one safe and healthy.