
Aches. Pain. Wrinkles. Like it or not, our bodies change as we age. Our nutrient needs change, as we get older, too.
The optimal way to get nutrients is through a healthy diet. Dietary supplements can help when you’re not getting enough minerals and vitamins from food.
“They supplement what we’re lacking in daily food intake,” says Dr. Charlie Ware, a natural medicine physician and founder of Healing Blends, a Hollywood, Fla. vitamin and supplement company. “Supplements are a manufactured way of getting your daily allowance efficiently.”
Supplements can help reduce your risk of health conditions such as osteoporosis and help you feel your best. “As we get older, cells start to rust, but we need nutrients to function,” says Ware. “Supplements can help cells hold their shape and supply the body with nutrients.”
Speak with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement. “A professional can lead you down the right path,” explains Ware. Don’t take ones that interact with your medications and ensure that you take the correct dose; taking too much of some can be harmful. For example, too much vitamin C can cause nausea, diarrhea or stomach cramps and excess iron and copper increases the risk of heart disease.
He also suggests you check labels to ensure that the supplement is plant based. “A lot are synthetic,” he says. “That can hurt your gut and ruin absorption.”
Choose a reputable company. “I’ve seen B-6 for $3 and $150,” says Ware. “Companies should be thinking of patients, not profits.”
Here a few supplements that can help with graceful aging.
Vitamin D
Though you live in sunny Florida, you still need vitamin D. “Sunblock doesn’t allow you to get true vitamin D,” Ware says. It helps with inflammation, immunity and strong bones.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 promotes brain development and keeps the nervous system and immune system healthy. “It helps the body make more energy, so it isn’t struggling,” he says.
NAD+
It’s found in every cell in your body, but its levels decline with age. NAD+ helps turn nutrients into energy and helps regulate cellular functions.
Collagen
This protein is found in your skin, nails, bones and joints. As you age, collagen production decreases, reducing your skin’s hydration and elasticity. “It helps your organs stay flexible,” says Ware.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol protects the body against damage that can put you at higher risk of heart disease, cancer and other health conditions. It also holds anti-aging powers.