Why You Need Supplemental Nutrition at Every Age

Posted: January 6, 2025 | By: Shanon Peckham

Despite what you might have heard, nutritional supplements aren’t just for athletes or those with preexisting conditions. Spoiler alert: Most of us aren’t getting the essential nutrients we need from our diets from day one. Yikes!

Read on to discover why supplemental nutrition is necessary at every age and how you can support your health through every stage of life.

Elderly

When it comes to supplementation, this is one of the demographics that comes to mind. At this point in life, most people will need to supplement their diet with additional nutrients to maintain optimal health. By age 80, collagen production has declined as much as 75%, contributing to an aged complexion, as well as weakened bones, joints, and connective tissues.^1,2,3 People also produce less vitamin D and absorb less calcium with age,^4,5,6 accelerating the natural process of our joints becoming stiffer and our bones losing critical mass. Because of this, we’re likely to develop a lack of mobility, chronic pain, and become more susceptible to serious injuries in old age, making it difficult to enjoy life to its fullest.^7,8

Additional age-related losses of other critical nutrients – some brought on naturally, others through a lacking diet⁹ – can compromise our bodies’ many complex functions and put us at risk of dangerous or chronic health conditions linked to deficiencies. In addition to collagen, vitamin D, and calcium, these are some of the key nutrients elderly adults will need to have on board to support healthy aging and longevity:¹⁰

Magnesium – Aids muscle and nerve function; regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.

Vitamin C – Aids tissue regeneration, as well as proper brain and immune system function.

B Vitamins – Promotes a healthy gut microbiome and immune system.

Selenium – Important for thyroid health, infection prevention, and DNA production. May also help with cognition and heart health.

Iron – A mineral needed to help oxygenate the body, support healthy neurological development, and create hormones.

Zinc – Helps with wound healing, fighting off infections, and DNA production.

Folate (Folic Acid) – Necessary for DNA synthesis and healthy cell division.

Adults

If all of that sounds scary, we have some good news for you, adults. You have plenty of time to get ahead of deficiencies by starting supplementation now! Prioritizing foundational nutrition and healthy habits early on will be key to comfortable aging and longevity. According to Mount Sinai, not only does your body slowly lose its ability to make and absorb key compounds over time, but your vitals also gradually lose their reserve abilities, dragging out the time it takes to recover from illnesses and strenuous experiences. In short, the older you get, the harder it is to bounce back – nutritional deficiencies only add to your body’s aging burden and compound the damage caused, creating the perfect environment for chronic diseases to crop up.¹¹

Young Adults

Though our various body systems all age a little differently, the general consensus is that signs of aging start to show up around age 30 (ugh, too soon).^11,12,13 Age 30-40 is the perfect time to take stock of how well you’ve been taking care of your body and what nutrients you may need (along with other routine changes) to support your body as it changes. Do you feel super drained after workouts? How well are you sleeping and eating? Do you get sick a lot? This is the time to ask yourself these questions and begin honing in on solutions that work for you.

Here are some recommended supplements for young adults:

i26 Hyperimmune Egg Powder – Supports a healthy immune system by delivering nutrients that support a healthy gut.

Limited-Edition Birthday Cake Protein Shake – The perfect cravings buster with 24 grams of whey protein per serving.

Beyond Sleep System – Provides three specialized supplements to help promote good bone/joint health, immune system function, and restful sleep.

Super Greens™ – Support digestion with probiotics, enzymes, and organic super foods.

ElectroFuel™ – Natural caffeine, electrolytes, and key vitamins combine for crash-free energy and hydration support.

Older Adults

At age 50-60, you should also look into targeted nutrition and get tested regularly for signs of deficiency, along with other doctor-recommended screenings. If you’ve been paying good attention to your body since your 30s, it won’t be too challenging to identify your specific problem areas. Joint and knee pain can be addressed with nutrients like glucosamine HCI, gelatin, collagen, and chondroitin. Changes in diet, paired with digestive support supplement blends, can reduce discomfort and help your metabolism run more efficiently – yes, even if it means giving up a little more sugar, dairy, or alcohol. Antioxidants are great for tackling general inflammation and fighting aging processes, thanks to their natural ability to scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress at the cellular level.¹⁴

Here are some recommended supplements for older adults:

Tazza Di Vita™ Café Ganoderma & SMART Stiks™ – Adaptogen and nootropic enhanced instant coffee, for optimal focus and cognitive support.

Ultimate Cardio FX™ & Ultimate EFA Plus™ – Targeted phytonutrients and omega fatty acids promote a healthy heart.

Beyond Osteo-FX™ Liquid & Ultimate Gluco-Gel™ – Calcium, trace minerals, and gelatin support healthy bones and joints.

ZRadical™ & SaXi™ Super Juice – Sea nutrients, botanicals, and super fruits provide antioxidants and support healthy aging.

Ultimate™ Hormone FX® & XeraFem™ Hormonal Support for Women – Targeted herbal nutrients provide holistic endocrine support.

Kids & Teens

It’s never too early to pursue foundational nutrition! With most Americans falsely believing they’re eating well and getting enough nutrients (when they’re actually nutrient-deficient and overweight, on average),^15,16 parenthood is the perfect opportunity to set the record straight. Show your kids how well you eat and teach them about nutrition early in life – they’ll follow your lead (most of the time)!

Kids

Childhood is a crucial time for healthy growth and development, and your little ones will need a wide assortment of nutrients to keep up with those growth spurts. If you’re only going to pick one supplement, a comprehensive multivitamin-mineral complex will do the trick!

Once your kids are off to school, there are additional family health needs to focus on, too. Crowded classrooms lead to sick days in the fall, and after-school sports mean long, tiring days for all. Prep for both with zinc, vitamin C, and electrolytes! And though your kiddos are far from needing collagen and anti-aging supplements at this age, they’ll thank you later for making them take a sweater and always wear sunscreen. Pre-and-probiotics will be a life saver for sensitive tummies, while calcium and minerals help build up their bone strength. If big pills are a no-go, try adding a little liquid supplement to their morning juice!

Here are some of our favorite items for kids:

Kid’s Toddy™ – A tasty Orange liquid multivitamin with essential vitamins and minerals.

Strawberry Kiwi-Mins™ – A refreshing Strawberry Kiwi mineral drink.

KidSprinklz™ Watermelon Mist – A flavorful Watermelon multivitamin and probiotic sprinkle.

Teens

Teenagers are a whole different ball game. While you’ll still want to help them maintain a solid nutritional foundation, they’ll have all kinds of new issues that need addressing. Acne, growing pains, binge eating, oh my! For acne and mood swings, we recommend a good probiotic and a low-grease/salt/fat diet;¹⁷ after all, your gut health can influence your mental health and skin from the inside out.^18,19 This may also help with the seemingly continuous eating, but if they still need a little extra something every afternoon, give them a tasty protein shake instead of a bag of snack mix.

Teens may also be at higher risk for calcium and iron deficiencies, so make sure they’re eating a balanced, fruit-and-veggie-heavy diet and taking their multivitamins every day.^20,21 After that, you just have to hunker down and wait for them to blossom into a healthy, hormonally balanced young adult – shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Here’s what we recommend for teens:

TMR-Total Meal Replacement Shake – Packed with protein, amino acids, 20 different vitamins, and minerals.

Ultimate Flora FX™ – Provides pre-and-probiotics to help you replenish and support your gut microbiome.

18 Daily™ Super Fruit Blend & 20 Daily™ Super Veggie Blend – Each convenient capsule contains the nutrition of 38 key fruits and vegetables.

Disclaimer & Pro tips:

The best way to get ahead of deficiency-related health problems is to not let your nutrient levels crash to begin with. You can start by getting a blood test and talking to your family to see if there’s a family history of key deficiencies. It’s also a good idea to do some personalized research; there are many nutrient levels in the body that begin naturally declining at certain ages, and other deficiencies associated with gender or environment that you can watch out for if you know what to look for.

That being said, supplements aren’t a cure-all and they aren’t for everyone. We always recommend talking to your doctor prior to trying any new product, and discontinue use if you experience side effects. Nutritional supplements can help our bodies in many wonderful ways, but taking too high of a dose can actually be damaging.²² Before you start taking a new product, consult your healthcare professional. Together, you can discuss your health concerns and create a supplementation plan that works for your body.