This isn’t an easy topic to write about nor is it an easy topic to find information about since it’s quite complex, however, we will share with you as much information as possibly can about this subject so that you no longer have any questions left un-answered by the end of this article.
Woman’S World
As we get older, and especially after menopause, our bodies need more of certain vitamins and minerals and less of others. And truth be told, the best multivitamins for women over 50 are often the same as the best multivitamins for women over 60, or older.
How To Choose The Best Vitamins For Women Over 50
If you go into a shop or look online for vitamins you will be met with a large selection to choose from.
There are certain things you may want to consider to help you know exactly what you are looking for. “Once women stop having a monthly period their iron stores tend to increase, so unless there are good medical reasons, postmenopausal women do not need iron supplements – and they may in fact be harmful,” says Dr Lee. Look for supplements with low or no iron content.
“Tablets are generally cheaper but if you find a spray easier, then use that,” says Clare.
Why People Over 50 Have Different Nutrient Needs
Changing Hormones
You have different nutritional needs in your 50s than your 20s or early 30s because your body changes during and after menopause. Estrogen levels go down, which may lead to a greater risk of osteoporosis and fractures, per May 2018 research in Osteoporosis International.
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Older people AFAB may have bone loss, irregular heartbeat, night sweats, fatigue, poor sleep and other common symptoms of menopause, per the North American Menopause Society. Belly fat increases by about 32 percent and visceral fat by 44 percent, according to a June 2017 paper in Menopause Review. Visceral fat wraps around your internal organs, contributing to insulin resistance, diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer, per Harvard Health Publishing.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been a major topic of conversation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but this essential vitamin has applications well beyond fighting coronavirus—especially for women over 50. “Vitamin D is probably the most important vitamin women over 50 should consume,” says Lindsey DeSoto, RDN, LD, owner of The Dietitian Mama. “It plays a crucial role in a number of our body’s internal processes.
Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is beneficial for fighting inflammation, supporting healthy sleep cycles, and maintaining our bone health. Related: 5 Amazing Benefits of Vitamin D, According to Experts
CoQ10
Rates of diabetes and heart disease tend to increase with age, but adding CoQ10 to your supplement routine may be able to help. “Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10 generates cellular energy in your body and it naturally declines as we age.
It also is much lower [among people with] health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease,” says DeSoto, who notes that there’s no officially-recommended dose of CoQ10, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about how much to take.