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Taking vitamins is not just a fad or a whim, it is a necessity. With very rare exceptions, vitamins are not produced on their own, but enter the body with food. For this, nutrition should be varied, balanced, include a variety of products, but not everyone can afford such a diet.
That is why older people especially need additional intake of vitamins. They will help improve the functioning of all organs and systems, restore vitality and activity, and replenish the deficiency of nutrients in the body.
Ranking of the top 10 inexpensive and effective vitamins for the elderly according to KP
Today, pharmacies offer a huge selection of vitamins for older people over 60, 70 and 80 years old, but how do you choose the right ones? Together with an expert, neurologist Anna Danshina, we compiled a rating of inexpensive and effective drugs and discussed why older people need to take vitamins.
1. Triovite
A drug produced in Slovenia, proven by numerous clinical studies, helps protect the body from adverse conditions: poor ecology, ultraviolet radiation and hard work. The composition contains a complex of antioxidant vitamins A, E and C, which increases the body’s defenses and helps slow down the aging process.
Indications:
- With a decrease in mental and physical activity;
- As a tonic and performance-enhancing agent;
- With malnutrition;
- With a deficiency of selenium and vitamins A, C and E;
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug;
- Hypervitaminosis A and E;
- Pregnancy and lactation.
2. Undevit
The drug contains a balanced complex of B vitamins, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, rutoside and nicotinamide. The active components of Undevita have antioxidant properties and reduce the negative impact on the body of the environment. The creator of Undevit, Professor Efremov, calls the drug a remedy for premature aging, salvation from age-related sclerotic diseases and attention disorders1.
Показания:
- Prevention and treatment of hypovitaminosis;
- After a course of antibiotics;
- During the recovery period after illnesses;
- With increased physical and mental stress;
- To improve metabolism in the elderly and senile age.
Противопоказания:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- Childhood;
- Pregnancy I trimester;
- Sucrase/isomaltase deficiency, fructose intolerance.
3. Gerimax 45+
Gerimaks is produced in Denmark specifically to support the health of the elderly. It contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium, vitamins E, B2, B12, A, folic acid and other useful trace elements. A multivitamin supplements ginseng extract, which is famous for its tonic effect and improves memory.
Gerimaks 45+ helps to strengthen the immune system and recover faster after an illness, improves potency, and also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the brain and nervous system.
The course of taking the drug is a month – you need to drink one tablet a day, but strictly before lunch, otherwise insomnia may occur.
Показания:
- as an additional source of vitamins and minerals after 45 years.
Противопоказания:
- Allergy to the components of the drug;
- Pregnancy and lactation;
- High blood pressure;
- Taking before bed.
4. Ascorutin
A drug with useful properties and an affordable price is known to most residents of our country. Ascorutin contains ascorbic acid and rutoside – components that regulate metabolism, help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and reduce the risk of blood clots, which is very important for the elderly
Показания:
- Deficiency of ascorbic acid and rutin;
- Varicose veins, trophic disorders and ulcers (in complex therapy);
- Chronic venous insufficiency;
- Hemorrhagic diathesis.
Противопоказания:
- Individual intolerance to the components of the drug:
- 1 trimester of pregnancy;
- age of 18 years;
- With caution in diabetes mellitus, thrombophlebitis, a tendency to thrombosis.
5. Centrum Silver
Dietary supplement designed specifically for people over 50 years of age. The composition contains powerful antioxidants vitamins A, E and C, vitamin D to strengthen bones and joints. B vitamins help regulate the activity of the cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems. The action of vitamins is enhanced and supplemented by macro- and microelements: calcium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, iron, molybdenum.
Показания:
- Helps improve the functioning of the brain, heart, blood vessels, nervous system;
- Reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis;
- Supports eye health;
- Increases the level of vital energy;
- Strengthens immunity.
Противопоказания:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
6. Essential Vitamins B-Complex and Cranberry Vitamins
Dietary supplement based on wild cranberry extract contains B vitamins and a complex of natural antioxidants. Regular intake of the drug helps to improve metabolism, strengthen the nervous system, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Показания:
- Strengthens the immune system;
- Increases mental and physical activity;
- Strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- Improves the condition of skin, nails and hair.
Contraindications:
- Individual intolerance to the components;
- Age to 18 years.
7. Detrimax 1000 (Vitamin D3)
The dietary supplement from an American manufacturer contains vitamin D3, a vital component for the body, especially in old age. It has been proven that vitamin D3 has a beneficial effect on all types of metabolism, improves immunity, maintains the normal functioning of the nervous system, helps strengthen muscles, bones and joints, helps relieve fatigue and increase vitality.
Indications:
- As an additional source of vitamin D3.
Противопоказания:
- Individual intolerance of components.
8. Spirulina
Spirulina is a storehouse of useful biologically active substances, including essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The components of spirulina help to normalize metabolism, reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol, increase mental and physical activity, improve the body’s resistance to infections, prolong youth.
Показания:
- Improves immunity;
- Prevention of atherosclerosis;
- Replenishes the deficiency of vitamins and minerals.
Contraindications:
- Individual intolerance to the components;
- Pregnancy, lactation.
9. Angiovit
Safe for the liver and kidneys, the drug contains a daily dosage of vitamins in one dragee. Angiovit is suitable for general strengthening of the body and prevention of hypo- and beriberi. As part of folic acid, pyridoxine and vitamin B12, which speed up metabolism, contribute to the rapid recovery of damaged cells. The active substances in the supplement normalize the level of homocysteine in the blood, which can provoke cardiovascular diseases and negatively affect the nervous system.
You need to take the drug 1 tablet once a day for 20-30 days. After consultation with a doctor, the course can be repeated.
Показания:
- Reduces the level of homocysteine in the blood.
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
10. Hypoglirin Lecithin with Ginkgo Biloba Extract
The Russian bioactive food supplement contains ginkgo biloba extract and a complex of essential vitamins B and E. Taking dietary supplements normalizes the blood supply to the brain and reduces blood viscosity, helps improve memory and metabolism, the functioning of the immune and nervous systems.
Показания:
- An additional source of vitamins B1, B2, B3 (nicotinic acid), B6, B9 (folic acid), B12, E.
Противопоказания:
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
How to choose vitamins for the elderly
Only the attending physician should prescribe vitamins for the elderly, based on the age, general condition and complaints of the patient. When choosing a vitamin-mineral complex, it is necessary to take into account the presence of chronic diseases.
In addition, the older the person, the more carefully you need to approach the choice of vitamins. For the elderly, hypervitaminosis is no less harmful than a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. This is especially true for men and women over 75 years of age. Excess intake of vitamins and minerals in the body can provoke disorders of the nervous system, the formation of kidney stones.
Deficiency of vitamins and minerals, in turn, can occur not only due to malnutrition, but also against the background of long-term use of certain drugs. For example, taking painkillers and tranquilizers reduces the absorption of vitamin C and B6, B12. And taking antihypertensive and diuretic drugs can lead to a loss of potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Doctor’s comments
Many doctors speak positively about the appointment of vitamin and mineral complexes for the elderly over 60, 70 and 80 years old.
For example, PhD, gynecologist Olga Matveeva, before recommending IUDs or supplements to a patient, first studies the results of studies and the experience of their use by other doctors.
— It is important to motivate the patient, to explain to him the need for the use of multivitamins, as full participants in the complex treatment of chronic and acute diseases. In my practice, I very often recommend taking vitamin D, since in our country 81% of the population have a deficiency or insufficiency of this vitamin,2 – says the doctor.
And ophthalmologist Victoria Kuntsevich believes that if a patient wants to improve vision or start preventing eye diseases, then this should be approached in a comprehensive manner. For example, take capsules or instill special eye drops with vitamins, as well as add vitamins necessary for vision to the daily diet.
– The most important vitamins for the eyes are A, C, B vitamins, E, calcium and zinc. And, of course, I recommend not to forget about physical activity and regularly see a doctor, – says the doctor.
Popular questions and answers
What vitamins are most needed by the body at the age of 60+ and how to take them correctly, told neurologist Anna Danshina.
At what age should you take vitamins for the elderly?
For each age, special formulations have been developed, with ingredients of a certain dosage. For the elderly 60+, 70+, 80+, the district therapist will prescribe the best vitamin and mineral support.
What vitamins are most needed by older people?
Vitamin B6 regulates protein metabolism, supports the functioning of the central nervous system, helps prevent atherosclerosis and the formation of kidney stones.
Vitamin B12 helps the absorption of iron, strengthens the cardiovascular and nervous system, improves cognitive functions – memory and learning ability.
Vitamin E supports the normal functioning of the nervous system, slows down the aging process, helps lower blood pressure and prevent the development of cataracts.
Vitamin D has a beneficial effect on the absorption of calcium, helps strengthen bones and joints.
Vitamin C – normalizes metabolism, supports immunity, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
Is it better for the elderly to take vitamins separately or in combination?
If the doctor sees symptoms that indicate a deficiency of some vitamin or mineral, then monotherapy is prescribed to solve a specific problem.
Doctors have proven the need for vitamin therapy in the complex treatment of a number of pathological conditions in elderly patients3. Cardiovascular disease and stroke, as well as cognitive impairment in dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, often develop against a background of vitamin deficiency.
Sources:
- Spirichev VB Scientific and practical aspects of pathogenetically substantiated use of vitamins for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. Message 2. Vitamin deficiency is a factor complicating the course of diseases and reducing the effectiveness of therapeutic and preventive measures // Nutritional Issues, 2011. V. 80. No. 1 https://www.elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=17048721
- Vitamin D deficiency in elderly people with frailty syndrome. Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2019. https://www.lvrach.ru/2012/04/15435404
- Prevention of the development of age-related disorders of sensory systems and voice in elderly and senile patients using vitamin and mineral complexes. Scientific and medical portal Lvrach.ru https://www.lvrach.ru/2012/04/15435404