Vitamins & Minerals

Multivitamins and Minerals

The requirement for most vitamins and minerals either stay the same or moderately increase as we pass 50 years and more so when we pass 70 years. The exceptions are iron and iodine, where the levels required diminish somewhat – particularly iron for females as menstruation ceases.
 
Taking these exceptions into account, all vitamin and mineral components should target to be set at least at the RDA level, and preferably moderately in excess of this.
 
Many multivitamin and mineral products aimed at the over 50’s include additional nutrients which may be particularly important to this age group. Some popular additions are:
  • Lutein, and zeaxanthin, to help support eye health where there is some evidence that increased intake of these carotenoid antioxidants may help prevent age related loss of visual function (macular degeneration). In our opinion, the minimum level of lutein which should present in a multivitamin/mineral product to have the potential to deliver benefits is 1mg.     
     
  • Ginkgo biloba which helps in supporting peripheral circulation as we age and as a result of this may be particularly relevant in helping to maintain mental functionality and acuity. In our opinion, the minimum level of ginkgo which should present in a multivitamin/mineral product to have the potential to deliver benefits is xxxxxmg.         
     
  • Ginseng is a herb which is traditionally recognised as energising and providing a boost to vitality. As such it is a logical addition to a multivitamin and mineral for the over 50’s. In our opinion, the minimum level of ginseng which should present in a multivitamin/mineral product to have the potential to deliver benefits should be sufficient to provide 5mg ginsenosides (this is usually equivalent to about 500mg of the root powder).         
 
Overall, these additional nutrients may provide additional benefits to a multivitamin, but in some cases they are added in such small amounts that any potential benefit will be very difficult to achieve. In addition, their inclusion often has an exaggerating effect on the price of the product given the level of inclusion. As such these additional nutrients should be secondary to the provision of a high quality multivitamin or multivitamin and mineral as the primary objective.