Do you get enough vitamins every day? Are you getting absolutely everything? While many of us try to eat a balanced diet, covering all the bases isn’t always easy.
As we glide serenely into twilight years—well that’s how it works in theory, at least—things can get even tougher for a number of valid reasons. Yet older people need to take particular care with diet.
So how can we get everything we need?
The first step is a good diet based on fresh, natural produce. If this can’t cover everything, a good-quality multivitamin can be a very convenient way to make up the shortfall.
We find out more about multivitamins—why they’re important—and specifically, how to choose the best multivitamin for men over 60.
Nutritional Challenges in Advanced Years
Many people find as they age, their appetite gradually decreases and they need smaller meals. This can present a challenge when it comes to getting a regular dose of all the nutrients we require.
Research published in the Journal of International Oral Health tells us that dental problems can have a huge negative impact on nutrition in our more advanced years. It can be harder to chew and swallow, and dentures may make some foods a no-go.
Even before the global pension fund crisis, many retired people were struggling to make ends meet. In more advanced years, things like medical expenses can leave people on a low budget. This can put good-quality food out of reach of some elderly people.
As we age, many people become reliant on public transport, family and friends to go places. This can make accessing fresh, healthy food difficult for some. Clinical trials also indicate that not getting direct sunlight regularly can result in vitamin D deficiency.
Multivitamins are a great solution for many elderly people to complete their nutrient profile on a regular basis. But then we get into the problem of which is the best multivitamin for men over 60.
Why Can’t Men over 60 Take Just Any Multivitamin?
Not all multivitamins are appropriate for everyone. For example, although a generous dose of vitamin A is great for other demographic groups, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests too much of it can be toxic in more advanced years.
Similarly, a high intake of iron isn’t recommended for men in their mature stage of life; it can cause problems such as constipation.
In Current Biology, experts have identified that people are more likely to suffer from health problems such as hypertension and other cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and some neurological conditions as age increases.
Hand in hand with this often goes a larger amount of regular medication, and these don’t always mix well with bigger doses of particular nutrients.
Which Vitamins Do Men over 60 Need?
Here’s a quick run-down of key vitamins for more mature men:
Vitamin D
Needed by all for healthy bones and teeth, vitamin D also assists in production of testosterone. According to the National Institute of Health, this hormone helps regulate sex drive, bone and muscle mass, and helps produce red blood cells and sperm.
Vitamin B12
This vitamin helps red blood cell production, helps to boost energy and improve nervous system function.
Research out of Harvard Medical School indicates B12 deficiency can be a particular problem for older men, and can lead to severe depression, memory problems, anxiety and paranoia, loss of taste and smell, and incontinence.
Vitamins are ACE!
Vitamins A, C and E are packed full of antioxidant action, which is especially important in more advanced years. They help fight the signs of aging, can help protect against cardiovascular disease and some cancers, degenerative eye conditions and mental illness, and also help prevent loss of muscle tissue.
Vitamin K
Essential for a healthy heart, bones and blood clotting. With age, skin becomes fragile, making it much easier to bump, bruise and cut ourselves. The faster blood clots, the less extensive the damage, reducing recovery time. Vitamin K also helps in the management of inflammation in the digestive tract
Precautions for Use
While it’s important to take in all the nutrients we need on a regular basis, it’s also important to know when they’re appropriate, and how to take them.
Below is an informative video about how essential vitamins are for the aging population, and some precautions for using multivitamins:
What Are the Best Multivitamins for Men over 60?
We’ve come up with five top products, all carefully selected for more mature men’s needs. We’ve highlighted the good and not so good features of each supplement so that you can find the best multivitamin for men over 60!
Our Choice
A good-quality multivitamin can be a valuable addition to many people’s diets. As we age, men and women have slightly different dietary needs, and a specifically formulated supplement for older men helps to ensure a complete nutritional profile.
Users liked the wide range of nutrients included in this supplement. People had a lot of confidence in the very reputable brand, and felt they could be assured of a good-quality product.
Certainly, many people reported a general improvement in well-being and extra energy with these multivitamins. Add in the excellent price, and it’s easy to see why these are our best multivitamin for men over 60.
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