In this article we will be discussing a very common question: vitamins and aging. It’s quite a sensitive & complex subject, as such we will do our best at providing a clear and concise article to clear any doubts you may have.
Abstract
In observational studies, people with a high intake of antioxidant vitamins by regular diet or as food supplements generally have a lower risk of major chronic disease, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, than people who are low consumers of antioxidant vitamins. Prospectively, folate appears to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Vitamin D is associated with a decreased occurrence of fractures when taken with calcium.
Vitamin E and lycopene may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. In other randomized controlled trials, the apparent beneficial results of a high intake of antioxidant vitamins seen in observational studies have not been confirmed. There is increasing concern from these trials that pharmacological supplementation of vitamins may be associated with a higher mortality risk.
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Vitamin D is associated with a decreased occurrence of fractures when taken with calcium.
Vitamin B12
Edically Reviewed on 07/16/2020 Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD, MPH on July 16, 2020
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SOURCES:
American Heart Association: “7 is the lucky number for reducing stroke risk.”
Mayo Clinic: “Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet.”
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: “Omega-3 Supplements: In Depth,” “Probiotics: In Depth.”
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: “Multivitamin/mineral Supplements,” “Folate,” “Potassium,” “Selenium,” “Zinc,” “Omega-3 Fatty Acids,” “Magnesium,” “B6,”.
Vitamin D
,” “B12,” “Calcium.”
Oregon State University: “Zinc deficiency mechanism linked to aging, multiple diseases.”
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Association of low plasma selenium concentrations with poor muscle strength in older community-dwelling adults: the InCHIANTI Study.”
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: “Vitamin Supplementation to Prevent Cancer and CVD: Preventive Medication.”
Harvard Medical School: “Should you take ‘senior’ multivitamins?”.