VITAMINS FOR SENIORS

Many health experts agree that seniors, as a group, are at a much higher risk of suffering nutritional deficiencies.

There are several reasons why this happens.

First, seniors tend to be less active than younger folks and, therefore, do not eat as much. However, less food means less nutrients, like crucial vitamins and minerals. Some seniors also have difficulty in chewing and digesting food.

Also, seniors tend to also take prescription medications in higher proportion to younger people. Some of these drugs can lead to nutrient deficiencies indirectly due to their side effects, such as loss of appetite.

Vitamins for Seniors

Senior Vitamins and Supplements

This often can become a vicious cycle because chronic diseases themselves can affect the body's vitamin and mineral levels.

The aforementioned reasons are not exhaustive, but are just some of the most prominent reasons vitamins for seniors should be a priority for the elderly.

What follows are some of the most common vitamins for seniors that the elderly tend to be deficient in: vitamin B6, vitamin D, folic acid (another B vitamin), vitamin C and vitamin E, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, zinc.

The bottomline? Some experts believe taking senior vitamins and supplements can be a big benefit for many of the elderly.

Vitamins and minerals are crucial, to be sure. However, seniors as a group tend to have special concerns that younger people do not have.

Chief among them is the health of their brain. It's no secret that diseases like Alzheimers, and even just general cognitive decline, afflict seniors much more than any other group.

Therefore, it's important that seniors educate themselves on what nutrients and supplements have been proven to help improve brain health.

Which are the best? Going beyond Vitamins for Seniors

Gingko a well known herb that has been double-blind tested many times for its ability to increase the oxygen content to the brain (and other bodily tissues).

Recently, researchers from University of California, Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric Institute showed that "the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba has demonstrated in brain scans to improve verbal recall among people with age-related memory impairment."

"Additionally, the researchers say, differing results could have much to do with the quality of ginkgo biloba used and the duration of studies." [Emphasis ours]

We will discuss below the basic requirements for buying only the highest quality gingko (and other herbs, vitamins, and nutrients).

Going Beyond Just Vitamins for Seniors

DMAE is a naturally occurring nutrient found in high concentrations in fish.

DMAE can elevate one's mood, counter depression, and boost cognitive functions, and even increase intelligence. These benefits stem from this nutrient's role in manufacturing acetylcholine, a crucial neurotransmitter that is responsible for healthy mental functioning.

Going Beyond Just Vitamins for Seniors

Gotu Kola:

The leaves of the Gotu Kola are a favorite food among elephants. Perhaps this is why there is an age-old adage that says "having a memory like an elephant."

Goto kola has been attributed a broad range of benefits that include enhancing mental acuity, staving off memory deterioration, and improving blood flow by strengthening blood vessels.

Indeed, in the book published by Reader's Digest called "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs" it states: "In one study, 30 developmentally disabled children were found to have significantly better concentration and attention after taking gotu kola for 12 weeks..."

The following are some precautions that you should be aware of before taking any of these supplements.

Because ginkgo is a blood thinning agent, people who are already on other blood thinners -- such as aspirin -- should consult a qualified health practitioner or their physician to let him or her know of your intent.

Gotu kola can cause sensitivity to sunlight in some individuals. If you are the kind of person who burns easily in the sun, take extra precautions.

There are no known side effects with DMAE.

As always, pregnant women or women who are nursing should refrain from taking herbal remedies.

Seniors who are on prescription drugs should always consult with their physician before taking supplements of any kind to avoid any adverse effects between the supplementsand their medication.

Nutritional-Supplement-Info's Tips on Choosing Vitamins for Seniors

2. Always purchase vitamins for seniors made from standardized herbal extracts. These are produced with the highest quality and potency. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles Neuropsychiatric department studying the effects of Gingko Biloba stated that results that one gets from taking this supplement can be dependent upon the quality of the ingredients used. That's why it's important to only purchase from ethical companies where the integrity of the products comes first.

Why not buy the best? Your health depends on it.

A Comprehensive Product

One company that produces a product that meets the above requirements -- and much more -- is Xtend-Life Natural Products from New Zealand, which has one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of dietary supplements, far exceeding U.S. FDA standards.

Their flagship product, Total Balance contains standardized extracts of gingko biloba, gotu kola, the nutrient DMAE, and all the vitamins for seniors mentioned above.

We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info personally take Xtend-Life's Total Balance as the foundation of our own health regimen.

Although we here at Nutritional Supplement Info are not seniors, Total Balance nevertheless contains a broad spectrum of powerful Vitamins for Seniors.

After some time, we have noticed in increase in energy, mental focus and acuity, and general feeling of well being.