As we age, vitamin B, D and E intake becomes particularly important to maintain brain health. This reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other diseases affecting the nervous system.
The addition of vitamins C, D and E, all powerful antioxidants, helps to maintain the immune system and inhibit cellular ageing, among other things. This gives you a sense of well-being and fitness.
Multivitamin products specifically designed for over 50s contain extra active ingredients in addition to vitamins to help maintain mental health and muscle tone.
One such active ingredient is lutein, a carotenoid compound which, in addition to its powerful anti-inflammatory action, is particularly effective in preserving vision (reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration).
Similar is lycopene, which is responsible for the characteristic red colour of tomatoes. Lycopene is also a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent. As we age, the all-important DNA in our cells is damaged by oxidative stress: the end of the DNA chain (telomere) is shortened and mutations (lesions) develop. This explains the ageing process. So, if oxidative stress can be reduced, ageing can be slowed down, and compounds with strong antioxidant activity, such as lycopene, can help.
And instead of being an antioxidant, gingko biloba extract contains a number of different flavonoids, namely, flavone glycosides and terpenoids. It is no coincidence that it has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. The effects of herbs are unique in that they contain a multitude of active ingredients (up to hundreds) instead of just one, so their spectrum of efficacy is incredibly broad without significant risks or side effects.
