From the Guidelines
Centrum is a suitable multivitamin choice for elderly individuals, as it contains essential vitamins and minerals that can help address nutritional gaps in older adults, including vitamin D for bone health, B vitamins for energy metabolism, and antioxidants like vitamins C and E. The most recent and highest quality study 1 recommends that persons 71 years and older should have 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D, which is in line with the Centrum Silver formulation for adults over 50. Key points to consider when choosing a multivitamin for elderly individuals include:
- Ensuring the multivitamin contains adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium for bone health, as recommended by 1
- Considering a formulation specifically designed for adults over 50, such as Centrum Silver, which has adjusted nutrient levels to meet the changing needs of aging bodies
- Being aware of potential interactions with medications, such as blood thinners and vitamin K content
- Avoiding multivitamins with high potassium or phosphorus for individuals with kidney problems
- Consulting with a healthcare provider to ensure the multivitamin complements specific health needs and doesn't interfere with medications, as suggested by 1 and 1. Overall, while Centrum may not be optimal for everyone, it can be a good choice for elderly individuals when used to supplement, not replace, a balanced diet.
From the Research
Centrum Multivitamin and Minerals for Elderly Individuals
- Centrum is a multivitamin and mineral supplement that can help improve nutritional status in elderly individuals, particularly for nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 2.
- However, there is limited scientific support for the health-related efficacy of multivitamin/mineral supplements like Centrum in preventing chronic diseases 3.
- Multivitamin use has been shown to improve micronutrient status and decrease the prevalence of inadequacies for folate, iodine, selenium, and vitamins B6, B12, and D in middle-aged to older adults 4.
- Consistent use of multivitamins can decrease the prevalence of inadequacy for most micronutrients, except for those typically not found in standard multivitamin products 4.
- Other vitamins like vitamin A, C, E, and K also play a role in bone health, and deficiencies in these vitamins can be associated with compromised bone health 5.
- Supplementation with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and magnesium can contribute to the maintenance of skeletal health, but the efficacy of these supplements on bone health is still inconclusive 6.
Key Considerations
- Elderly individuals should read labels carefully and consult their healthcare provider to ensure appropriate dietary supplement use 2.
- Multivitamin use should be customized, taking into account possible side-effects and degree of adherence 6.
- Obese individuals may be at greater risk of clinical deficiency in vitamins B6 and D, and multivitamin use may serve as a practical means to increase micronutrient status and decrease prevalences of clinical deficiency in this population 4.