Special Vitamin Needs For Seniors

As we increase in years, our health becomes even more important to us. Of course, just because we gain in wisdom as we age; it does not mean that we make wiser food choices as we age. Of course, you would think that as we age we would be even more conscious of the foods we eat, but many people are not. On the other hand, as we increase in age we tend to eat less, which means we don't get the appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals that we need from our diets in that aspect as well.

There are many reasons that seniors require specific vitamin and mineral requirements as they age. For one, our bodies do not process nutrients as efficiently as they do when we are young. To compound the situation, seniors often have to increase the amount of medication that they take each day and this also has an effect on how the body breaks down the nutrients.

Many seniors who live alone do not eat the nutritionally balanced meals they need. This is often because it is difficult to prepare meals for one. In addition, many seniors do not receive adequate exercise as well. Many seniors are undernourished because of these many factors.

Vitamin D is most important to seniors. This is because it plays a huge role in the calcium absorption in the body and this is vitally important in fending off osteoporosis and keeping their bones strong and healthy. Without adequate calcium, the bones will lose mass and become brittle. This means that seniors are more likely to break bones, such as a hip. Few seniors consume the proper amount of vitamin D that they require.

Another issue that affects seniors is what is known as free radicals in the body. These unstable molecules that cause cell damage through oxidation. Incidentally, oxidation is the same process that causes metal to develop rust. So, in a sense, seniors really do become "rusty" as they age. This can be reduced by taking antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants in the diet. Fruits and vegetables are also useful in providing seniors with another source of Vitamin A, C and E. These are also vitamins that few seniors get in their necessary amounts.

Seniors are not adequately receiving various nutrients in their diets. For seniors who need to increase the amount of vitamins in their diets, they need to first start with a daily multi-vitamin. It is best to start with a multi-vitamin that is formulated specifically for senior citizens.

By: TC Yeap

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TC Yeap is CEO of Singaporean company Sainhall Nutrihealth. Founded in 1990, Sainhall Nutrihealth is a leading distributor for health products in SouthEast Asia. Vitamin.sg is an E-Commerce portal created by Sainhall Nutrihealth to offer a whole range of nutritional products and supplements. Visit Vitamin.sg today for exclusive rates! Because staying healthy doesn't have to be expensive!