If you are concerned that you may not be getting all of the required nutrients from your diet, the importance of proper supplementation cannot be overlooked. As we age, vitamin/mineral/nutrient deficiencies can become a bigger problem and have serious consequences. Incorporating supplements into your daily wellness routine can offer many benefits such as filling nutritional gaps when your diet falls short of getting you the adequate amount of nutrients. In addition, certain supplements can help support various organ systems and processes within the body.  Let’s look at a couple of key nutrients and the role that they play in our health:

• Magnesium is a mineral involved in keeping our muscles strong, regulating blood sugar levels, promoting heart health, and aiding the body in getting ready for sleep.
• As you age, your body is unable to absorb Vitamin B₁₂ from the diet, so either increasing dietary intake or supplementation is encouraged.  B-vitamin deficiency has been associated with an increase in dementia incidence as well as increased risk of heart attack/stroke while B₁₂ deficiency symptoms include weakness, poor balance, appetite loss, & numbness/tingling in the extremities.
• Calcium is a mineral that is especially important in older adults who are at risk of bone loss (osteopenia/osteoporosis). Not only does it make our bones stronger, but it aids with muscle function. After menopause, women are typically at a higher risk for osteoporosis, so ensuring that you get enough calcium is especially important.
• Vitamin D has many roles in the body, one of which is supporting the immune system. Your body has an internal mechanism that uses sunlight to create its own Vitamin D, but in the winter months, people typically aren’t outside enough to create sufficient Vitamin D. If you live in Wisconsin and aren’t taking a Vitamin D supplement, there’s a very good chance that you’re deficient during the colder winter months.  
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential for both brain and heart health, and are currently being researched for a possible protective role against memory loss & Alzheimer’s disease. It is important to note that your body does not have a means to produce Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and thus you rely on your diet (salmon is a great dietary source). Now if you’re like me and don’t like eating fish, a good quality Omega 3 fatty acid supplement is essential.
• Zinc is a micronutrient that plays a major role in the aging process. It is involved in supporting our immune system (which becomes weaker as we age).
• Collagen supplements are gaining a lot of popularity currently, because as we age, our bodies produce less collagen. Collagen protein is found throughout the body, and in addition to supporting healthy skin, it is thought to help alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is important to note that different types of collagen have different functions in the body, but that’s a discussion for a different time.

Supplementation may seem overwhelming at first. Where do I find the right supplements? How do I know if what I’m taking is any good? You can go to any major store and typically see an aisle or two of different vitamins and supplements, and it can be pretty overwhelming. That’s why we’ve partnered with NutriDyn, a trusted provider of practitioner-exclusive supplements that meet the high standards we look for when recommending products to our patients. Through our website, you can easily browse our online supplement store, find products that fit your health goals, and have them delivered right to your door.

The best thing you can do is try to get your vitamins and nutrients from your diet and fill in those nutritional gaps with supplements as needed. Most people are able to take many common supplements without any issues or health risks, but it is always wise to consult with your primary care physician before starting any new supplements. Anyone can have an adverse reacting to a supplement if taken incorrectly or in too large of a dose. In addition, certain supplements may have harmful interactions with medications (EX: St. John’s Wort can hinder the effectiveness of certain antidepressants & birth control). If you have any questions about how you can add a quality supplement or two to your health routine, feel free to ask one of our doctors.

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