Multivitamins for women over 50 are formulated to address their specific nutritional needs.
As women get older their bodies are less effective at absorbing nutrients making multivitamins a potentially important component of their dietary routine.
Below, our team has brought together their list of the 11 most important benefits produced by multivitamins for women over 50.
11 Benefits Of A Multivitamin For Women Over 50
Women over 50 have specific nutritional needs, many of which do not apply to younger women. That’s were multivitamins for women over 50 come in.
1: Multivitamins for women over 50 fill nutrient gaps caused by dieting.
Research indicates that overweight and obese women stand a significantly higher chance of disability and a reduced chance of making it to 85 (1). So calorie restriction is, in some very real respects, a life and death issue for older women. Calorie restriction, or dieting, has some major disadvantages including the potential for creating nutrient shortfalls (2) as foods are left off the plate that contained important vitamins and minerals. Multivitamin supplements can bridge these nutritional gaps.
2: Multivitamins for women over 50 bolster bone strength.
Estimates are more than 9 million American women currently suffer from osteoporosis (3). With the aging of the population, that number is only going to increase. One of the most compelling reasons to take a multivitamin supplement is to get the bone-supporting nutrients (calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and more), you need to help reduce the risk of developing this bone wasting condition. Magnesium, as well as phosphorus, also play a role in bone health, besides helping to maintain healthy cells.(4).
3: Multivitamins for women over 50 can enhance mental acuity.
The brain is greatly affected by how we live, what we eat, how much we exercise, and how much we sleep. In addition, recent studies suggest vitamin supplementation can impact brain function. Studies have shown that older men exhibit improved memory after taking multivitamins containing folate and B12 (5). Other studies demonstrate that multivitamins may have a role to play in alleviating anxiety and stress in older women (6).
4: Multivitamins for women over 50 can mitigate the effects of aging.
While vitamin supplements aren’t the fountain of youth, they can nonetheless play an important role in reducing some of the most odious effects of aging. These effects include weakened bones, rough skin, vision problems, dental problems, digestive problems, and more. Many of these, as well as other maladies that affect older women, are often the result of nutrient shortfalls. By taking a good multivitamin supplement you can avoid an array of problems.
5: Multivitamins for women over 50 help prevent micronutrient deficiencies.
Micronutrients are individual vitamins like B12 and minerals like iron. Not enough of one micronutrient can have wide-ranging adverse effects on your system. Women who adhere to unbalanced or poorly-planned vegetarian or vegan diets are more prone to micronutrient deficiencies and could benefit mightily from a daily multivitamin supplement.
6: Multivitamins for women over 50 are cost-effective.
It’s always preferable that people, regardless of their age or sex, get the nutrients they need from their diet. The reality is that high-quality foods are expensive these days. Some conditions also require much higher nutrient intake than what a weight-maintenance diet can provide. Multivitamins can be a cost-effective (and virtually calorie-free) way to ensure older women obtain the nutrients they need.
7: Multivitamins for women over 50 can help maintain eye health.
We know that nutrients within multivitamins can improve cognitive function and strengthen bones. They can also help prevent or delay the progression of age-related vision problems, including macular degeneration (7). In addition, a supplement with vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin may help reduce the risk of cataracts (8). While multivitamins won’t improve your eyesight, they can make your eyes more resistant to these common but still vexing conditions.
8: Multivitamins for women over 50 can speed recovery from illness.
Typically, when people are stricken with a cold or flu, they lose their appetite. Which is understandable. It also creates a situation where the body is not getting the nutrient support it needs, right when it needs it most. As a result, an older woman may not be able to fight off the cold as quickly, and recovery may lag. Multivitamin supplements for women over 50 can provide the nutrients necessary to power a faster, more complete recovery.
9: Multivitamins for women over 50 can enhance cardiovascular health.
Research indicates vitamin supplements can play an important role in bone integrity, eye health and, in this case, cardiovascular health. In a 2010 study, those without a history of cardiovascular disease who took multivitamins for more than 5 years had a significantly lower risk of heart attack (9). In a 2015 study, women, but not men, had reduced mortality rates from cardiovascular disease if they took multivitamins for longer than 3 years (10). Clearly, more research is needed for a definitive answer.
10: Multivitamins for women over 50 can increase energy levels.
Older women should be wary of taking supplemental iron as iron can build up in tissues, leading to iron overload, and can increase the risk for certain diseases (11). Iron isn’t the only potential energy booster among the micronutrients; B-complex vitamins can also help get your energy levels up. If you are feeling a bit underpowered lately, then consider taking a good multivitamin (without iron, unless you have been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia) and get your mojo back.
11: Multivitamins for women over 50 can improve digestive efficiency.
We’ve touched on the fact that the body’s ability to process food declines with age. That’s a big deal because poor nutrient absorption can lead to all kinds of health problems. Some (not all) multivitamins for women over 50 include pre and probiotics that can help re-establish a healthy gut flora.
Conclusion
Women over 50 don’t always meet their nutritional needs by way of the food they eat. In order to avoid nutritional shortfalls and the myriad problems that can create it’s a good idea to consider taking a multivitamin specially formulated for women over 50. It can help bolster the strength of your bones, fend off eye problems, speed up recovery from illness or injury, boost your energy levels and more.