Getting compliments on how ageless we look certainly warms our hearts. Undoubtedly, this appreciation would have the same effect on anyone, regardless of age. Hence, it is understandable that many individuals place a big emphasis on their appearance and well-being.
In the past, we’ve discussed the wonders some foods can work for the bone health of your loved ones. Likewise, nutrition can help slow their aging process and make them look and feel timeless.
However, our parents or grandparents don’t always have to rely on their diet to obtain the nutrients they need to reduce aging. They can also gain nutrients their body can’t synthesize from products called dietary supplements.
At Seasons Retirement, we prioritize the nourishment and well-being of our residents. Hence, our Health & Wellness team is always on hand to discuss and review the nutritional needs of older adults in our communities.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting some anti-aging supplements and vitamins for older adults. These nutrients include:
Curcumin, an active substance in the turmeric plant, is easily one of the best anti-aging supplements. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties at the cellular level, curcumin effectively keeps the skin intact and protects the body from cancer.
Furthermore, curcumin has been proven to activate specific proteins that inhibit cellular senescence – a process where cell division stops, thereby enhancing the cell lifespan. Essentially, this substance can delay aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
If your parents or grandparents want to add this nutrient to their diet naturally, turmeric is their best option. Alternatively, they can get it from turmeric or curcumin supplements.
According to a scientific report in 2018, Coenzyme Q10 is an anti-aging chemical the body secretes to affect how cells convert energy – a process known as bioenergetics. However, as we age, the body’s CoQ10 level declines.
The good news is that CoQ10 is available as a supplement and has been found to improve various aspects of health in older adults. As an antioxidant, it protects the body against cellular damage while increasing the production of collagen – an essential structural protein.
Moreover, CoQ10 supplements offer several cardiovascular health benefits, including decreased blood pressure, prevention of cholesterol buildup in the blood vessels, and reduced stiffness of the arteries.
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that helps protect the body cells from oxidative damage. Since the body can’t naturally synthesize it, your older ones must maintain an optimal intake of this vitamin using supplements.
Vitamin C is one of the anti-aging vitamins, as it plays a functional role in normal body processes like inflammation control, immune control, and so on. It has been found that older persons with high blood levels of vitamin C tend to have better control of their cognitive skills, memory, and attention.
Furthermore, this water-soluble vitamin is vital for skin health, enhancing skin hydration, promoting collagen production, and preventing wrinkle formation.
To maintain an optimal level of this essential nutrient in their body, encourage your older ones to incorporate vitamin-C-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables, and legumes, into their diet, or consider taking supplements.
Collagen is a structural protein that makes up the connective tissue, bone, cartilage, tendon, and, most importantly, skin. Collagen production, however, begins to decline with age, causing the appearance of aging signs such as skin wrinkles.
Collagen supplements can help the body make up for the collagen it is not producing. This will help slow down the process of aging in your loved one. Depending on your older one’s preference, collagen supplements are available in various forms, including powder and capsule.
Vitamin E, also known as tocopherol, is one of the best anti-aging vitamins. It is essential for numerous body processes and systems, including eyesight, immune system, inflammation regulation, brain health, etc.
Vitamin E is vital for older adults as it plays a significant role in maintaining skin health. Moreover, vitamin E supplements are effective antioxidants that help to keep the body cells safe from oxidative stress.
If your parents or grandparents want to improve their diet, pumpkin, peanut butter, red bell pepper, avocado, snails, crayfish, lobster, and broccoli are some familiar sources of vitamin E.
Resveratrol, a polyphenol antioxidant, is one of the most popular anti-aging supplements. Some evidence suggests this substance’s anti-aging quality lies in its ability to increase the length of chromosomes.
The same report shows that resveratrol can help delay aging in older people by activating specific signalling proteins called sirtuins. Resveratrol can be found naturally in grapes and berries, while it is an ingredient in red wine.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol compound commonly found in green tea. It offers tremendous benefits to older people’s health, including decreased cancer risk and cardiovascular issues.
EGCG is one of the most effective anti-aging supplements, with a proven track record in preventing age-related diseases. It also enables autophagy – a process that involves degrading damaged cellular materials.
Your older ones can increase their intake of EGCG by drinking more green tea – in place of other beverages – or by taking concentrated green tea extract supplements.
Vitamin A, one of the best vitamins for anti-aging, is a vital nutrient that should form a significant portion of your older one’s diet. It is pretty effective in slowing down the effects of aging on the inner and outer body.
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, has been found to enhance collagen production in older adults, improving skin integrity. In addition, this vitamin can help boost the function of your older one’s immune system and eyes. Eggs, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, and salmon are natural sources of vitamin A.
Becoming ageless shouldn’t require too much effort from your older relatives, as adequate intake of the proper nutrients alongside moderate exercise should be enough to keep them looking young for a long time.
As we’ve provided a consolidated list of anti-aging supplements and vitamin options for older adults, you might consider discussing how you can incorporate them into your parents’ or grandparents’ diet with them.