Baby Boomers and Vitamins: What You Need to Stay Healthy

If you are over 50, you probably think that you need dozens of supplements and vitamins, but I have good news for you: you don't. There are some things you need to complement a balanced and varied diet to make sure you are getting in the nutrients you need to maintain optimum health, but you certainly do not need the entire vitamin aisle at the drug store. Knowing what you need is important so that you are getting enough without getting too much, but there is certainly a problem with getting too much, even when it comes to vitamins. It is also important to talk to your healthcare provider before adding any new vitamins to your daily routine.

Getting the Best Multivitamin

Multivitamins are important for all people, but especially for those in the Baby Boomer age group. As we age, we tend to eat less and this can have a negative impact on the amount of essential vitamins and minerals that we get. Physiological changes, such as less efficient digestion may also play a role in needing to supplement vitamins and minerals. When you are choosing a multivitamin, talk to your healthcare provider about getting one that supplies these Dietary Reference Intakes: 1,200 milligrams of calcium, 15 milligrams of zinc for men and 12 milligrams of zinc for women, 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12, 10 micrograms of vitamin D, 420 milligrams of magnesium for men and 320 milligrams of magnesium for women, 400 micrograms of folate, 60 milligrams of vitamin C and 10 milligrams alpha-tocopherol equivalents for men and 8 milligrams alpha-tocopherol equivalents for women.

Individual Supplements

Osteoporosis is a concern for those in this age group. Because of this, additional calcium and vitamin D may be recommended. This is something to discuss with your healthcare provider so that you can make sure that you are getting the dosing right. You should show your healthcare provider which multivitamin you are taking and then ask about whether you need additional vitamin D and calcium, and if so, how much you need. It is important to not take too much vitamin D as it can accumulate in the body if you do, so you definitely want to make sure you are getting the right amounts, and not too much or too little.

Your medications may impact which vitamins you need and when you can take them as well. For example, if you are getting too much vitamin K, this may interfere with the drug warfarin. So, be sure to let your doctor know every medication and vitamin that you take. It is important to avoid a drug-nutrient interaction.