Supplements for Older Adults: What to Discuss With Your Care Team

By Silver Sitters

There is no single supplement list that every older adult in Palm Beach County should take. Start with a review of diet, medical conditions, medicines and any identified nutrient deficiency with a clinician, pharmacist or registered dietitian.

Food and individual needs come first

Supplements can help meet some nutrient needs, but they do not replace a varied diet. Products containing vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium or a mix of nutrients should be considered for a specific reason. A nutrient intake recommendation is not automatically the amount someone should take in pill form.

More is not always better

High doses and combining several products can increase side effects. Supplements may interact with medicines or affect surgery and anesthesia. Antioxidant supplements are not a universal disease-prevention treatment; some may interfere with certain cancer treatments. Tell the care team about every supplement being used.

Take particular care with potassium

Kidney disease and certain medicines can raise blood potassium to harmful levels. Potassium supplements and potassium-based salt substitutes should be discussed with a clinician. The general intake figures differ for adult men and women and are not a personal supplement prescription. Someone with impaired potassium handling may need a different plan.

Questions to bring to the appointment

• What need would this product address?
• Could food or a fortified food meet that need?
• What dose and duration are appropriate?
• Does another product already contain the same ingredient?
• Could it interact with my medicines or upcoming treatment?

Bring the labels or a list of products, doses and frequency. Do not replace prescribed medicine with supplements. A quality-testing seal can provide information about manufacturing and contents, but it does not establish that a product is safe or effective for a particular person.