Nutrients and Supplements for Women Over 65

Foods today can lead us to be overfed and under-nourished.

It is regrettable that the foods of today show a depletion of vitamins, minerals and other important health nutrients compared with sixty years ago. Particularly noticeable in this comparison is the reduction of those nutrients in foods known to alleviate inflammation and several other aspects of degenerative processes.

Women's health and well-being benefit from special attention at this time of life with regard to a comprehensive nutritional approach (body and mind) of both foods and supplements.

We need to note that during this time of life, it is unfortunate but true that women are more susceptible than men to bone loss and varicose veins, and therefore special dietary attention is prudent. Listed in the foods and supplements below are nutrients that help reduce the experience of both these conditions.

It is also a fact that many protective nutrients that support good immune system function and bone integrity are reduced in many of the modern foods available today.

We need to remind ourselves that our digestive tract benefits from a slightly alkaline environment, and in practical terms this means that 60% of the diet should be based on alkali-forming foods.

The acid- and alkali-forming foods need to be consumed both as cooked and uncooked. This is not to suggest that several fruits and vegetables suitable for consumption after cooking should be eaten raw. It does, however, remind us that we need ideally about 20% of our daily food intake as raw foods.

One of the key reasons is the supply of enzymes. These are essentially special proteins that are important for the proper processing, digestion and absorption of nutrients. Usually, these enzymes or special proteins manufactured within the human body are formed in the liver. Therefore special attention needs to be given to healthy liver function. It is also valuable to note that several minerals are key to this process, as too are specific beneficial fats. There are different groups of enzymes required for proper biological function. For women in this age range, special attention is needed to an appropriate diet to facilitate proper enzyme manufacture.

We need to recognize that during this time of life, the beneficial gut flora become more important to our digestive process. This flora is known as beneficial bacteria, and from around the age of fifty-five for most women, the manufacture of these beneficial bacteria is in permanent decline.

In a healthy person, the beneficial bacteria constitute about 90% of the total population within the digestive tract.

We need also to recognize that several of the beneficial bacteria within the digestive tract are responsible for the manufacture of many important B vitamins. Stress and pharmaceutical antibiotics, refined sugar (sucrose), excess consumption of garlic and high consumption of dietary fats and animal proteins do cause a proliferation of detrimental bacteria that can contribute to elevated levels of undesirable harmful free radicals.

Supplements

The following supplements that are known to be helpful are divided into three groups.

Section 1 Supplements are considered 'first choice'.

Section 2 Supplements are both complementary and synergistic with the 'first choice' supplements.

Section 3 Supplements are considered beneficial for preliminary digestive system cleansing. While optional, they can offer an additional positive process to improving health and wellbeing.

Table of Beneficial Nutritional Supplements

This information is offered as an introduction (in brief) to supplements, herbs, foods and substances known to help with women's health over the age of 65. This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and it is suggested that sound advice is taken by an appropriately qualified practitioner.

Supplement Suggestions for Women Over 65

First Choice Supplements

Nutrient	Formula	Daily Intake	Initial Period	Intake	Ongoing
Vitamins	MultiVitamin-Mineral	1 twice daily	2 weeks	1 daily	1 daily
Minerals	Magnesium	1 twice daily	4 weeks	1-2 daily for 3 months	1 daily
	Joint and Bone Support	1 daily	4 weeks	1-2 daily for 3 months	1 daily
Beneficial Fats	Essential Fatty Acid Complex	1 twice daily	2 weeks	1 daily	1 daily

 

Complementary Supplements

Nutrient	Formula	Daily Intake	Initial Period	Intake	Ongoing
Vitamins	Antioxidant with Co-Q10	1 daily	1 daily	1 daily	1 daily
Minerals	GTF Chromium + Antioxidants	1 daily	1 daily	1 daily	1 daily
Specific Formula	Bromelain	1 twice daily	4 weeks	1 daily	1 daily

 

Cleansing Supplements

Nutrient	Formula	Daily Intake	Initial Period	Intake	Ongoing
Herbals	Caprylic Acid Complex	1 twice daily	30 days	1 daily	2 months

 

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. None of this information regarding food-matrix nutrients or our products is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.