As women enter their 50s, their bodies go through menopause and the nutrients needed by their body can change. As you turn 51, you should begin taking vitamins that will strengthen your body and keep it healthy for many years to come.
Vitamin D
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin D is important for many functions in your body, including helping support a strong immune system and regulating your blood pressure. However, as a postmenopausal woman, you need vitamin D to help build strong bones. After menopause, you are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. However, vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and maintain healthy levels throughout your body. You should aim to get 600 international units of the vitamin every day.
Vitamin C
Although vitamin C is an antioxidant, a substance that helps protect cells from damaging particles called free radicals, it is useful for many other purposes as well. Your body needs vitamin C to make collagen, which helps keep your skin looking young. However, collagen is also important to the structure of your joint components: bone, tendons and ligaments. Getting enough vitamin C can support your joint health, keeping you mobile and active as you age. You should get 75 mg of vitamin C daily.
Vitamin B-12
According to the Mayo Clinic, as you get older your body may naturally begin to have trouble absorbing vitamin B-12. However, you need vitamin B-12 to properly metabolize energy from food. Your body also needs the vitamin to make hemoglobin, the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. You should get 2.4 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily from dietary supplements or fortified foods, in order to combat age-related problems absorbing the vitamin.
Folic Acid
Although your body always needs folic acid to help your body make amino acids -- which are used in your cells for various functions -- as you get older, it can also help prevent heart disease. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that folic acid helps control homocysteine, an amino acid that is linked to risk of heart disease. Folic acid helps to reduce the amount of homocysteinelevels in your blood, reducing your risk of heart disease and its complications. You should try to consume at least 400 mcg daily.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Macronutrient Information Center: Vitamin D; Victoria J. Drake; January 2008
- Linus Pauling Institute; Macronutrient Information Center: Vitamin C; Victoria J. Drake; November 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin B12; July 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; Macronutrient Information Center: Vitamin B12; Victoria J. Drake; August 2007
- Linus Pauling Institute; Macronutrient Information Center: Folic Acid; Victoria J. Drake; September 2007
Member Comments