Essential micronutrients supplement for the elderly

As the body ages, the aging process occurs, leading to a series of internal changes, typically muscle loss, thinner skin, less stomach acid, decreased appetite… This makes it difficult for the elderly to absorb and use micronutrients. If not handled promptly, it can easily lead to malnutrition, causing negative effects on health. 

An easy-to-see example is the calcium and vitamin D duo. These are two nutrients that are especially important for bones, but older people tend to have difficulty absorbing calcium from their diet. And this prolonged lack of calcium will promote bone loss and increase the risk of fractures in old age. 

The duo of calcium and vitamin D plays a particularly important role in the body’s skeletal system

1. The role and importance of essential micronutrients for the elderly

Micronutrients, commonly known as vitamins and minerals, are essential for healthy growth and disease prevention. Except for vitamin D, other micronutrients are not produced in the body and must be supplied through the diet. Although each person only needs a small amount of micronutrients, it is extremely important to supplement the body with the recommended types and amounts, especially in the elderly. Some essential micronutrients such as calcium, iron, vitamins B12 and D along with omega 3, 6, 9 all bring many health benefits to the elderly.

– Calcium is an essential component for bones and teeth, helping us to be strong and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in old age. Maintaining stable bone health significantly reduces the risk of falls in the elderly. According to research, in Vietnam, about 20% of women over 60 years old have osteoporosis, while men of this age have a rate of about 10%.

– Vitamin D plays a role in absorbing calcium that we get from food. This mineral is essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones. For older adults, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is extremely important, helping to reduce the risk of osteoporosis – a condition of weak bones that can lead to easy fractures. In addition, vitamin D also plays a role in strengthening the immune system, helping the body to be healthier and more able to fight diseases.

– Iron is a mineral that plays an extremely important role in preventing anemia. Because iron is a component of hemoglobin, participating in the process of oxygen transport and cellular respiration. Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia, which is understood as low hemoglobin concentration. Elderly people often have a diet that is not enough iron or have difficulty absorbing iron. 

– While the duo of vitamins B12 and D are necessary for nerve and bone health, omega 3, 6, 9 support cardiovascular and brain health. In particular, Omega 3 helps reduce bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL-Cholesterol, thereby helping to stabilize blood lipids, prevent atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. In addition, it also supports cognitive function and memory, helping to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the elderly when the rate of people with this disease at the age of 85 and over is about 32%.

Foods rich in omega 369 for the body

2. Essential micronutrient needs of the elderly

Micronutrient needs of the elderly are an important issue that requires attention. As the level of need and the body’s ability to absorb micronutrients vary according to age, gender and health status. Studies have shown that the elderly need about 15 mcg of vitamin D/day to support bone health and improve resistance. This content is higher than that of young people (19-60 years old, 10 mcg/day). In addition, iron is another important mineral, especially for postmenopausal women. Since the need for iron decreases after menstruation stops, middle-aged women over 50 years old only need 22.6 mg/day, 36.2 mg less than the need of women in adulthood (58.8 mg/day). Therefore, iron supplementation for older women needs to be done carefully to avoid the risk of iron accumulation, which is harmful to the body. 

Micronutrient needs of older adults vary by age, gender and health status

To determine specific micronutrient needs for older adults, it is important to consult a physician or dietitian. They can provide advice based on each person’s individual health status, medical history, and current diet. This allows to ensure that micronutrient supplementation is done safely and effectively, avoiding unwanted side effects and optimizing health benefits.

3. Source of essential micronutrients for the elderly

To ensure optimal health, the elderly need to supplement essential micronutrients. Building a diverse, balanced diet from natural foods is the most effective way to achieve. Nutrients in foods when combined together maximize their effects, help the body absorb better and minimize the risk of unwanted side effects. The elderly should prioritize the following food groups in their meals: 

– First is the group of green vegetables and fresh fruits. Daily consumption of foods from this group provides the body with vitamins and fiber to help strengthen the immune system and improve digestion.

Green vegetables and fruits should be added to the elderly’s diet

– Second is the group of fatty fish such as salmon and tuna. These are foods that contain a lot of omega 3, which is good for the heart and brain.

– Third is nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.) and beans (soybeans, chickpeas, etc.). These are abundant sources of vegetable protein, good fats and are rich in fiber.

– Fourth is milk and dairy products (cheese, yogurt). These are essential foods for providing nutrients and calcium to support strong bones, while helping to prevent osteoporosis.

In addition, the diet for the elderly also needs to be diverse, combining all food groups to ensure that they provide enough micronutrients for the body while creating appetite. In particular, food should be processed soft, easy to digest, and can be cut into small pieces and cooked thoroughly to suit the reduced chewing and digestion ability due to age.

The dishes are cut into small pieces and stewed soft, suitable for the chewing ability of the elderly

In addition to daily meals, the elderly can supplement their diet with nutritional products to ensure that their bodies receive a full supply of micronutrients, thereby guaranteeing that their diet always meets their needs. Nutricare Gold is a comprehensive nutritional solution for the elderly, providing all the necessary micronutrients for the body to improve health, reduce stress, fatigue and create physiological sleep. The product was researched by Nutricare scientists in collaboration with the Nutricare Medical Nutrition Institute (NMNI-USA) in the USA, containing 56 nutrients with a plant protein system and whey protein from the US, which helps to increase resistance and restore health. In addition, Nutricare Gold also adds omega 3,6,9 to help reduce atherosclerosis and prevent cardiovascular diseases. 

Beside providing micronutrients for the elderly, Nutricare Gold is researched by scientists based on the physical condition of Vietnamese people to supplement Lactium, which is clinically proven to help the elderly improve their sleep, along with glucosamine, calcium and HMB to support strong bones and muscles. In particular, glucosamine is an amino sugar that helps increase the ability to restore cartilage, while stimulating the production of synovial fluid, increasing viscosity, increasing lubrication and impact resistance of cartilage. Thanks to that, glucosamine helps slow down the process of joint degeneration, reduce pain symptoms and improve joint function for the elderly.

HMB is a substance that is naturally produced in small amounts when the body breaks down the amino acid leucine, enabling repair of the structure and function of muscles. According to research, from the age of 30 onwards, the human body begins to gradually reduce muscle mass and function. Sarcopenia is a condition that occurs rapidly in people aged 75 and older. Supplementing with HMB can help older adults slow down the loss of muscle mass and strength by increasing lean muscle mass and reducing muscle protein breakdown.

Therefore, with 2 glasses of standard powdered milk or 2-3 cartons of 200ml ready-to-mix powdered milk per day, Nutricare Gold can provide adequate nutrition as recommended, meeting the need for essential nutrients for the elderly, including bone and joint health. 

Supplementing micronutrients for the elderly is extremely necessary to ensure health. However, the elderly often have various underlying diseases and use different types of drugs. Therefore, arbitrarily supplementing micronutrients can interact with drugs, causing unwanted side effects, and even worsening the condition. Therefore, to ensure safety and effectiveness, the elderly should consult a doctor or nutritionist before deciding to supplement any micronutrients. This helps to accurately determine micronutrient needs, choose the appropriate micronutrients and adjust the dosage scientifically. Along with that, monitoring health status after supplementation is very important to promptly detect and handle potential side effects.

Consult a nutritionist before supplementing micronutrients for the elderly

Conclusion: Supplementing essential micronutrients not only helps increase longevity for the elderly, but also bring them better health. A strong immune system, strong bones, sharp memory and optimism are benefits provided by micronutrients. Invest in the health of yourself and your loved ones by supplementing with essential micronutrients now.