Over 50's Daily

Iron supplements are vital for people who suffer from iron deficiency anaemia, which is common in people who are vegetarian or vegan, or in people who have suffered blood loss.

The symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia are tiredness, lack of energy, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and pale skin.

If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you should inform your GP so they can carry out a blood test to see if your iron levels are low.

You will only need to take iron supplements if your iron levels are low.

Everyone needs vitamin C to help protect your body’s cells and maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage.

Whether you need a vitamin C supplement will depend on your diet, particularly how many fruits and vegetables you eat.

If you don’t eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, a vitamin C supplement could be beneficial for your health, but you should always aim to get your 5-a-day regardless.

When you reach 50, it might be time to start thinking about introducing certain vitamins and supplements tailored to people your age.

As we get older, our bodies might not absorb the nutrients from food as effectively, meaning we’re more likely to become deficient in certain vitamins.

Some of the key vitamin supplements you may need to introduce when you’re over 50 are vitamin D and B12, Omega-3, and calcium.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you think you may be deficient in any vitamins or minerals.

Vitamin supplements can be effective at treating deficiencies in certain nutrients when you’re not getting enough of them from your diet or lifestyle.

Your diet should always be the first place you look to for your vitamin intake, but if you find that you’re struggling to get enough of a certain nutrient, vitamin supplements could help you get back on track.

When choosing your vitamin supplements, we’d recommend asking your doctor or pharmacist for advice that’s tailored to you.

They can help you to assess your lifestyle and nutritional needs and make sure these are met through a balanced diet with food supplements to back up your intake if you need them.