by The Puritan's Pride Editorial Team
The good news is that today’s seniors are taking a proactive approach towards maintaining their health and wellness. As a result, older Americans are keeping healthy, fit, sharp, and are more active than ever before.
We know that nutritional supplements are only a single piece in the complex jigsaw puzzle that is health and wellness, but it’s important to recognize and understand how an individual’s nutritional needs can change throughout the life cycle. Here’s a look at 5 key supplements that make an excellent addition to a healthy aging regimen.*
DHEA (a very necessary acronym for the scientific term dehydroepiandrosterone) is a hormone naturally produced in the body’s adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys and liver. Levels of DHEA can decline with age, starting as early as age 30 in some individuals.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that supplementation with 50mg of DHEA per day in mature adults helped support sugar metabolism* (Villareal, 2004).
Interestingly, DHEA is one of the few supplements available for purchase in the United States that is prohibited for use by Olympic and professional athletes. Those of us whose Olympic eligible years are behind them, however, are free to reap its benefits.
More than 16 million people in the U.S. have concerns related to their brain health. It’s especially important for seniors to eat a healthy diet that provides all of the essential nutrients required by the brain, and supplementation can provide added nutritional assurance.*
Phosphatidylserine (pronounced phospha-tidal-serine) is a naturally occuring, fat-like substance that’s an important component of over 1 trillion brain cell membranes. PS is especially active in neurons – the complex series of central nervous system pathways responsible for exchanging sensory information.* Neuro-PS® plays a role in these crucial neurotransmissions, supporting brain function and a healthy mind.* PS levels in the brain may decline with age, so seniors in particular may benefit from supplementing with this unique neurochemical.*
They say that ‘true beauty comes from within,’ and we couldn’t agree more!
Collagen is the major structural component of the skin, comprising about 80% of its dry weight. Skin collagen can decrease with age. Verisol,® an especially absorbable form of collagen used in beauty supplements, like our Hair, Skin and Nails, supports healthy skin aging and skin elasticity.*
While consumption of vitamins and minerals are important for everyone, older people in particular may have difficulty absorbing the nutrients that support key biological processes.
Vitamin B-12, an example of this phenomenon, aids the body in converting food into energy, and also supports heart and nervous system health.*
B-12 may not be as readily absorbable by the digestive system as we age, so it’s recommended that adults over 50 years of age get most of the recommended intake of B-12 from fortified foods and nutritional supplements. Consuming an alternative form of Vitamin B-12, like a microlozenge or liquid drops, may enhance absorption of this important nutrient even further.
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid found in fish and algae that contribute to the natural color in many marine animals. A potent antioxidant due to its unique molecular structure, Astaxanthin helps fight free radicals throughout the body, that may contribute to the premature aging of cells.* Supplementing with at least 4mg per day has been shown to help the skin maintain a natural, healthy glow.*
