Vitamins and supplements are the next best thing after healthy eating. A balanced diet that consists of the right food is always unbeatable of course, but when it comes to getting the adequate amount of nutrients that may not always be available daily? Dietary supplements can help big time once you start aging.

But as a woman who’s over 50 years old, which one is right for you? 

Experts, studies, and good ol’ science weigh in! 

 

Multivitamins

In an article published by Harvard, experts say that multivitamins are “low risk and low cost, and it helps to fill potential gaps in the diet that people might have.” Try as we may, we don’t always have access to all the food that ensures our nutritional needs are met in full each day – but thank science for multivitamins as alternatives! If you think there’s something lacking in your diet, see a dietician or nutritionist to start incorporating multivitamins as part of your daily food intake. 

 

Vitamin B12

B12 is the nutrient that helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy – on top of helping make DNA, the genetic material found in all cells! And while most of what we consume on a day to day basis already contains B12, having a supplement is especially helpful for women who have trouble absorbing this nutrient from their food. And the good news? Taking vitamin B12 was found to pose no harm! 

 

Calcium

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were a total of 6,838 hospitalisations for osteoporosis for people aged 50 and over back in 2017 to 2018. Women are more at risk: the hormonal changes that happen after menopause has a direct impact on bone density, making this mineral even more vital as women age. If you think there’s not enough calcium in your diet, now’s the time to consider a calcium multivitamin to keep your bones healthy and strong! 

 

Vitamin D

Need more calcium? Then you need more vitamin D too! But while linked to bone health, vitamin D has an array of benefits that makes it absolutely important: it reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, asthma and even allergy and inflammation. Experts recommend a daily intake of 600 IU (International Units) of vitamin D up to age 70, and 800 IU daily for 70 years old and up. So for women aged 50 and above, keep your bones strong with a little help from vitamin D supplements. 

 

AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Study)

Macular degeneration is a common eye condition. When it occurs in older adults, experts call it age-related macular degeneration. AREDS-based vitamins have been found to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration by 25% – that’s a promising number! It’s just one way of ensuring that you get to enjoy your old age with no issues with your eyesight. 

 

But remember balance and moderation is key: if you’re going to take dietary supplements, make sure to follow the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Too much of anything isn’t always good, and if you’re still not sure if you’re making the right choices for yourself: do a little research or, better yet, check with your doctor. 

That being said, keep eating healthy and have a long and happy life!