While experts understandably advise us to get all our nutrients from our diets, that isn’t always possible for a number of reasons, and can get progressively harder as we age. As we age, our bodies, hormones and nutritional needs change. These biological shifts mean we need to be aware of how our needs may change at different stages of life to help us operate at our very best – both mentally and physically as we age. Here we look at some key supplements you may consider depending on your age.

Under 30

• Vitamin C – This unique nutrient is known to be involved in at least 300 biochemical pathways in the body. Vitamin C is needed for strengthening the blood vessels, bones, gums and teeth. It also has a protective role as an antioxidant helping our immune system and helps to maintain normal blood fat and cholesterol levels.
• B Complex - is ideal for anyone who leads a busy lifestyle. It is essential for energy production in your body and to support your hormones. As these nutrients are not stored in the body, you need to top up the supply daily.
• Milk Thistle – As we tend to lead very busy, even party lifestyles in our younger years, Milk thistle can help us to reduce the impact of the ‘wild years’ in several ways including: -
  • Liver health
  • Help keep skin healthy
  • Support weight loss
  • Lower cholesterol

30’s-40’s

• Magnesium – This mineral can help energise your body and relax tense muscles after a stressful day juggling family, work and general life. It also contributes to the normal functioning of your muscles and nervous system – as well as contributing to the maintenance of normal teeth and reducing fatigue.
• Glucosamine & Collagen – This is the decade when we may start to feel the signs of aging. Glucosamine plays an important role in our bodies’ production of cartilage – a flexible yet tough connective tissue that pads the connections between joints and bones. Collagen is one of the most common proteins found in our bodies, as it’s one of the substances that helps to hold our bodies together with it being found in the muscles, bones, skin and tendons. Our bodies can produce collagen naturally, but production reduces as we get older, especially if we spend a lot of time in the sun or smoke. It’s the decline of collagen production that produces wrinkles and weakens joint cartilage, both of which happen the more we age.
• Zinc - Zinc is an essential mineral to the human body and plays a vital role in the function of over 300 enzymes in our bodies, being most abundant in our brains, muscles and bones. According to many nutritionists, more people find it difficult to obtain enough zinc in their diet than any other mineral. Zinc is well known for its role in growth and tissue repair, and in the immune system. It is particularly important for the healthy function of the reproductive organs and prostate gland and it is one of the most important antioxidants available.

40’s-50’s

• Glucosamine – Many people start to develop arthritis in their 40’s. Glucosamine is vital for healthy joints as it is used by the body to make other chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints. These joints are cushioned by the fluid and cartilage around them which can both deteriorate with age. Taking a glucosamine supplement may help increase the cartilage and fluid around joints and help prevent / slow down their breakdown.
• Co-Enzyme Q10 – While our bodies do produce this antioxidant naturally, our naturally occurring levels decrease as we age. Co-enzyme Q10 plays a vital role in converting food into energy so as our levels drop, we may be left feeling fatigued. It may also help with other conditions such as heart disease, headaches, brain function and healthy skin.
• Calcium & Magnesium – Calcium is the most abundant element found in the human body and is highly important in maintaining healthy bones and teeth. In fact, the body is constantly remodeling our bones, absorbing calcium and depositing it into our bones. Additionally, calcium is required for proper muscle function and nerve transmission. Magnesium is also an abundant element throughout the human body. It is responsible for energy production and contributes to the development of our bones due it being instrumental in transporting calcium across our cells. Without magnesium, the human body could not synthesise DNA.

50’s-60’s

• 50+Multivitamin – Our very own 50+ Multivitamin is a specially formulated blend of various vitamins and minerals tailored for the nutritional needs of people aged 50+ with the ideal level of Vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as higher levels of folic acid, zinc and B Vitamins. It also contains ginkgo biloba extract and selenium. All in all, it is packed with 24 different vitamins and minerals to help you glide through your 50’s.
• Lutein – Most people begin to experience issues with their eyes in their 50’s. This antioxidant is found in leafy vegetables and is important for helping maintain healthy eyes as it is found in high concentrations in the eye and these levels deteriorates as you age.
• Turmeric - Turmeric has recently been voted one of the most popular supplements due to its variety of benefits - from joint health, heart health and cognition to blood vessel function and even mental wellbeing. This potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.

Over 60’s

• Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 is known to be essential for optimal brain function and a healthy immune system. Even a mild vitamin B12 deficiency may increase the risk of dementia in an older adult as stomach acid (which is required for the body to absorb vitamin B12 from food), declines as we age.
• Vitamin D - Vitamin D is essential later in life to help protect against a variety of illness and infection. The ideal source of this important nutrient is, of course, sunlight – hence its nickname ‘the sunshine vitamin’. However, we tend to get less sunlight as we age and our body’s natural ability to synthesise vitamin D from sunlight also decreases with age.
• Omega-3 – These fatty acids have a wealth of health benefits that we may worry about more as we age. These include: -
  • Help to lower blood pressure
  • Slow the development of plaque in the arteries
  • Reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke
  • Maintain / improve memory

Vitamins are nutrients and are necessary at all stages of life as they give us the nutrition boost we need to maintain and support optimal health. They enable us to supplement any nutrients that may be lacking from our diets, for whatever reason at any stage in our lives.