September is Healthy Aging Month. In accordance with this theme, we look at the basic principles underpinning the idea of healthy aging and discuss four prime supplements that can contribute to healthy aging in men and women.
Healthy Aging Month
Healthy Aging Month is a tradition recognized in September according to the Department of Homeland Security. It is an opportune time to reconsider the general aspects of physical and mental health as how they are influenced by the aging process. If you’re an aging adult, say, over 50, consider some of the behavioral and lifestyle changes you could make, however small, to keep your body and mind healthy. September is as good a time as any to renew your focus in that regard.
The principles behind Healthy Aging Month are essential. They include preventing and/or managing chronic disease, preserving mental health and cognition, and promoting good quality of life and feelings of wellness.
Some fundamental and usually accessible means to pursue and meet these healthy aging goals include health check-ups at regular intervals, maintaining awareness of one’s mental and cognitive health, getting regular and moderate physical activity, and making healthy food choices. Diet is where the nutritional aspects of your health are considered, including the specific nutrients you take in and why you need each of them. This is where the addition of healthy aging supplements can make a meaningful difference in your life.
Supplements for Healthy Aging
Many vitamin and nutrient supplements can contribute in some way to healthy aging. Following are several of them that belong at the top of the list for their provision of essential and influential properties for the body and mind. (Remember, though, dietary supplements complement your daily dietary needs, but they do not replace them.)
Calcium is a crucial mineral and is perhaps the most important substance, generally speaking, for structural bodily health. People of every age must consume calcium for the preservation of healthy bones and teeth. The body retains less calcium in those over 50 than in younger people. This increases the risk of osteoporosis and other bone issues, especially in women. Women over 50 need at least 1,200 mg of calcium daily, while men over 50 need at least 1000 mg. The most meaningful concentrations of calcium are in certain foods such as dairy, sardines, and green vegetables. Studies show that the bone health of aging men and women can benefit greatly from supplementing with calcium.
Vitamin D is one of the most crucial vitamins for healthy aging, for a variety of reasons. It is very important for the healthy function of muscles, nerves, and the immune system. First, vitamin D is necessary for the body to actually process and use calcium. The body is less able to produce calcium from sunlight as we age, so consuming it becomes more vital. It can be difficult to get significant amounts of vitamin D from foods, so a vitamin D supplement can make a big difference. This is especially true for elderly men and women who might be deficient in vitamin D, a fairly common condition.
Vitamin B12 is most crucial for the health of your red blood cells and nerves. The body can have a more difficult time absorbing vitamin B12 as we get older. Furthermore, aging men and women who consume a diet mostly vegetarian, or entirely vegetarian or vegan, will ingest hardly any B12 at all.
Omega-3 fatty acids are very healthy because they can combat the inflammation that occurs, for a variety of reasons, during the aging process. The anti-inflammatory properties of these fatty acids can improve health and mitigate the complications of certain common conditions including neurological disorders, eye disease, and type-II diabetes. There is also evidence to suggest that taking omega-3s can improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Unless you’re eating fish multiple times a week, it’s almost guaranteed that your bodily health will need an omega-3 supplement.
To promote healthy aging by reducing risk of chronic disease and improving cognition, consider the four supplements discussed above for their meaningful qualities. It’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement for the first time, or the first time in a long time.