Top 5 supplements for seniors

Seniors tend to have special health needs. As you age not only does your body change but so does your nutrient needs. Elderly adults usually eat less food and absorb fewer nutrients than their younger counterparts, therefore many seniors end up depleted in certain nutrients.

While no pill or supplement can replace a balanced diet of whole unprocessed foods, many chronic health issues can be addressed with the right supplements.

Here are 5 supplements to consider for the Senior population.

1) Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - You can prevent and potentially reverse dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and many other neurodegenerative disorders by eating coconutrelated foods Just make sure it's pure organic virgin coconut oil. Avoid any hydrogenated oil, including hydrogenated coconut oil, because hydrogenated oils are the same thing as trans fats which are pro inflammatory and promote disease.

2) Vitamin D - Vitamin D helps promote good bone health by facilitating the absorption of calcium into your teeth and bones. Healthy levels of vitamin D have been linked with a decreased risk for certain cancers specifically breast and prostate cancer, and a reduction in the symptoms of depression. Things that inhibit the body's ability to absorb vitamin D include: being over age 50, overweight, or lactose intolerant. Those suffering from celiac or Crohn's disease may also have trouble absorbing the vitamin.

3) Fish Oil - The list of benefits from fish oil is long. For Seniors fish oil can help to improve depression, memory, focus, vision, pain and inflammation. It can also lower triglyceride levels. A therapeutic dose is 2 to 4g of EPA and DHA, I find most people are usually not taking enough. Fish oil is safe for most people except those on blood thinning medications.

4) B12 - B12 deficiency can cause problems with balance, fatigue, anemia, numbness, and confusion. It can even lead to a form of dementia. Seniors need more vitamin B12 because, as a person ages, they lose their ability to effectively absorb the B12 found in food sources. This absorption problem is a condition called atrophic gastritis. When the condition develops, the stomach no longer secretes enough hydrochloric acid, which in turn means it cannot absorb enough vitamin B-12. Vitamin B12 depletion is intensified in people who are using stomach-acid controlling drugs.

5) CoQ10 - CoQ10 is one of the more universal substances found in the human body. Every cell has some amount of the enzyme, which is essential for cell repair and growth. It is also an antioxidant, provides protection to both skeletal and heart muscles, lowers blood pressure, and helps fatigue. It has also been shown to help with Parkinson's disease. Statin medications can decrease the amount of CoQ10 in the body which can contribute to muscle pain, therefore it is important to supplement with CoQ10 in anyone who is on a statin lower drug.

Dr. Pamela Langenderfer is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist. She is the co owner of Lakeside Holistic Health, PLLC with locations in Liberty Lake, Wash., and Coeur d'Alene. Visit us at our website www.lakesideholistic.com.