We all wish to live our best life as we age. Isn't it? Ageing is inevitable and we all want to age gracefully. So how do you ensure good health throughout? As you age, your body starts going through a lot of changes. When you knock at the doors of your 40s, you start experiencing health transitions such as fragile bones, slow metabolism, loss of hair, etc. This is exactly when you should start popping up supplements as a part of your regular diet. Supplements function as an army to fight age-related illnesses and help you in staying fit. Both vitamins and supplements are a great way to boost your nutrition at any age. In this article, Dr Kaustav Guha, Head of R&D at SkinKraft Laboratories is telling six natural supplements that women should start taking as they enter their 40s.
Essential Natural Supplements For Women
If you are a woman in 40s, here are some of the essential supplements that you must include in your diet to ensure optimal health.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is one of the essential supplements that you must add to your diet as soon as you turn 40. It offers multiple benefits to your body such as boosting memory, preventing heart disease, supporting bone health & healthy skin, promoting healthy eyesight, etc.
Young adults are likely to get this vitamin from a whole lot of food sources such as egg, lean meat, fish and dairy products. But as you age the absorption decreases because the stomach acids levels are washed out. A study of 5000 women aged 40 and above revealed that those with Vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid supplements intake had 34% fewer cases of macular degeneration after a few years.
Calcium
Calcium, one of the key supplements as you age, essentially helps you in maintaining bone health. It also helps in other body functions such as muscle contractions, nerve and heart functioning, etc.
If your body is deficient in calcium as you age, it starts depleting from your bones and makes them fragile. So, you need supplements after you turn 40 if your diet doesn't meet the calcium requirements of your body.
Also Read: These Foods Give More Calcium Than Milk or Dairy
Vitamin D
Vitamin D supplements are your go-to solution for protecting your body against several age-related changes. Its deficiency can increase your health risks, especially diabetes, heart diseases, breast and colorectal cancers. All of these tend to affect your body as you grow old. Besides, it helps to move calcium and phosphorus into your bloodstream.
Certain foods like eggs and fish, especially salmon, sardines are great sources of Vitamin D. However, its absorption from the food might be poor, so you can add Vitamin D3 supplements to your diet to meet the requirements.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids offer a myriad of health benefits. It fights inflammation and helps to combat several age-related health changes such as the increased risk of heart disease, joint pain, etc.
Several studies suggest that omega 3 supplements work great in lowering your cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of stroke, and improving memory. Consuming omega 3 supplements can be highly effective in improving your overall health.
Probiotics
Even though probiotics are not vitamins or minerals either, they're essentials for women aged 40 and above - be it lowering the risk of heart disease or improving your gut health. Some of the best probiotics sources include dairy and fermented soy products. However, they might not contain as many strains as a supplement. Thus, the intake of probiotic supplements can work wonders for your body.
Also Read: Probiotics Vs. Prebiotics: Do You Know The Difference Between Them?
Magnesium
If you're someone who is at risk of high blood pressure as a result of the ageing process, magnesium can be your magic supplement. This mineral not only stabilizes your blood pressure but also helps Vitamin D to direct calcium into the bones.
Usually, magnesium is deficient in most of our diet, hence taking its supplements can help in managing a range of health complications.
No matter how old you grow, natural supplements can boost your overall health and help you keep age-related changes under control. However, keep in mind that supplementation is very individual, and it should not replace eating real food. Consuming the right supplements can make you healthy, wealthy, and wise!
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