In the wide world of supplements, multivitamins exist that are uniquely designed to benefit a variety of demographics, especially age and gender. While the human body has largely identical nutritional needs throughout all stages of life, changes can occur within the body that may require an additional boost of certain nutrients. For people 60 and older, one of these changes comes from the effects of aging on the array of systems that are constantly at work in your body. As you age, your immune system, digestive system, bones, heart, brain, and more may begin to experience a bit of wear and tear. In this case, it is essential to provide them with a steady supply of nutrients. In this article, we will list a few of the best liquid vitamins for elderly people over 60 and explore the potential benefits they may provide.

Antioxidants

You have no doubt heard that your body needs antioxidants, but you may not know exactly what they are and what they do. Antioxidants are substances that protect your body’s cells from damage caused by free radicals, or highly reactive molecules. You may be exposed to free radicals when you come into contact with cigarette smoke, air pollution, or even ultraviolet light. An imbalance between the amount of free radicals and antioxidants in your body may result in oxidative stress, which can lead to the development of chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease (1). Oxidative stress is also thought to be the cause of most typical aging signs, making antioxidants even more important for those over 60.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, converted from beta carotene, is a powerful antioxidant that can help your body in the battle against oxidative stress. On top of its antioxidant qualities, vitamin A also has the potential to benefit both your immune system and your eye health, two areas that often experience a great deal of wear and tear throughout the aging process. In terms of immune health, this vital nutrient assists with the maintenance of bacteria-trapping mucous barriers located in the eyes, lungs, and stomach while also helping the production of white blood cells (2).

When it comes to eyesight, vitamin A is one of the elements needed in order for your eyes to be able to perceive color and to see in low-light. It helps protect different parts of the eye, including the cornea (the outermost part of the eye) and the conjunctiva (a membrane covering the surface of the eye) (3). Healthy amounts of vitamin A are a necessary aspect of maintaining physical eye health as well as normal vision in general.

Vitamin E

Another extremely potent antioxidant is vitamin E. Similar to vitamin A, this micronutrient plays an important role in staving off the damage caused by free radicals while also boosting immune function and promoting healthy blood, cells, eyes, hair, and skin. Beginning with blood health, vitamin E combats blood clotting by widening blood vessels and preventing the buildup of platelets in the bloodstream. It also has an impact on cell functions, as it can help them interact with one another via a process known as “cell signaling.”

Because vitamin E’s antioxidant properties combat the effects of free radicals, it may be able to prevent degeneration in the eyes that leads to the development of cataracts. This is extremely beneficial for seniors, as cataracts and cataract surgery are a common occurrence in the American population over 80 (4). As we mentioned, age also leads to the deterioration of immune function, but vitamin E provides your immune system with a much needed boost by regulating immune cells in a way that lowers susceptibility to infections (5).

Selenium

Although selenium is a trace mineral, it contains selenoproteins and enzymes that provide antioxidant properties (6). One of the effects of free radical damage and oxidative stress, especially in elderly people, is mental decline. After all, this damage does put the body at an increased risk for brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Similar to vitamins A and E, selenium’s antioxidant properties may be able to lower the risk of cell damage in the brain due to oxidative stress. Studies indicate that healthy amounts of selenium could improve memory and overall cognitive function in individuals suffering from neurological impairment or diseases (7). 

While it should always be the goal to obtain these antioxidants and other essential vitamins directly from your diet, it may be difficult to ensure that your meals are balanced enough to guarantee a full dosage of every nutrient each day, especially for older individuals who have trouble with certain foods. If you choose to add a multivitamin to your diet in order to supplement your body with added nutrition, be sure to consult with your physician to find out which choice is best for your unique health situation.

Resources

1. “Antioxidants: In Depth.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, November 2013, https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth.
2. West, Helen. “6 Health Benefits of Vitamin A, Backed by Science.” healthline, 23 August 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a-benefits.
3. Kubala, Jillian. “Vitamin A: Benefits, Deficiency, Toxicity and More.” healthline, 4 October 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a.
4. “Cataracts.” National Eye Institute, 12 April 2022, https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts.
5. Lewis, Erin Diane et al. “Regulatory role of vitamin E in the immune system and inflammation.” IUBMB Life, 30 November 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7011499.
6. “Selenium.” Harvard School of Public Health, 2022, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/selenium.
7. Kubala, Jillian. “7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Selenium.” healthline, 20 August 2019, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/selenium-benefits.