If you are reaching your 40s or are already in your 40s, your health should be a high priority. Eating a healthy and balanced diet and taking exercise regularly are a must, however you can further help your body by taking certain vitamins in your 40s to help support optimal function. 

There are some supplements which I consider essential in your 40s and there are others which may be important to build a foundation for optimal health.

Which vitamin should I take in my 40s?

I have always recommended a quality multivitamin as I consider this to be important because we often tend to eat food groups that may not necessarily provide an abundance of nutrients. Equally, our digestive system ages with us and so we may not be able to absorb these nutrients efficiently. A quality food state multivitamin will bridge the gap and act like an insurance policy to ensure that our bodies are nourished in order to work at their optimal level. The question then arises which vitamins should you take in your 40's?

Daily Multivitamins One-A-Day is a comprehensive one-a-day food-state multivitamin and mineral supplement which also contains fruit and vegetable extracts known for their antioxidant properties as well as digestive enzymes to help digestion and mushroom extracts to enhance your immune system. Daily Multivitamins One-A-Day supplement however is not suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Vegans and vegetarians should opt for Terra Nova’s Living Multinutrient Complex which is also food-based and provides nutrients in a base of green foods which contain digestive enzymes to help enhance absorption.

If you cannot swallow tablets or capsules, then Source of Life Gold Liquid is one of a few food-state liquids providing vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids as well as fruit and vegetable extracts.

What about probiotics and omega 3?

Probiotics are the healthy bacteria in your gut. The older you are, the more vulnerable your system is to unhealthy bacteria. If your gut is not in a healthy state, your body will simply not absorb nutrients, you may experience constipation and perhaps even some gas or bloating. Probiotics enhance your immune system, manufacture energising B vitamins, break down food in the colon and help remove acids and toxins from the intestines.

Mega Probio is free from gluten, dairy, wheat, soya, yeast and other common allergens that can affect our digestive system and provides eight strains of bacteria that are able to pass through the harsh acid environment of the stomach reaching our gut where they are able to perform their myriad of roles.

Omega 3’s fatty acids are the good fats which your body uses to manufacture hormones, calm down inflammation in the body and have a positive impact on heart and brain function. Deficiencies of omega 3 are common in people who consume large amounts of processed foods, hydrogenated oils and those on a vegetarian or vegan diet. The primary animal sources of omega 3’s are fish oil or krill oil supplements and Life and Soul Omega 3 Fish Oil and Neubria Krill Oil are two of the best omega 3 supplements on the market.

Should I take anything else?

A multivitamin, omega 3 and a probiotic are three key supplements to take during your 40s, however you may also wish to consider the use of Sage Complex. From roughly the age of 35, the production of female hormones by the ovaries begins to decline and this can have subtle effects on the body since oestrogen protects our skin, heart, bones and provides numerous other protective benefits. These subtle changes can also include low mood and often an inability to concentrate. Sage Complex contains herbs that are called phytoestrogens which mimic the female hormones and therefore help to offer protection against many of these concerns, especially as this phase is often termed the perimenopause. Those with much lower levels of female hormones may experience some hot flushes, tender breasts, low sex drive, mood swings and irregular periods, all of which may be greatly alleviated with the introduction of Sage Complex.

If you have a history of osteoporosis in the family or have a dairy-free diet, it would be prudent to consider the use of a calcium supplement. Calcium is needed for our heart, muscles, and nerves to function properly as well as for blood to clot. According to the National Institute of Health, several surveys show that people are simply not getting sufficient calcium on a daily basis to maintain healthy bones. There are many other factors that may lend to calcium deficiencies such as a high protein diet which encourages calcium excretion, lactose intolerance and a lack of vitamin D3 which is widespread in the adult population.

If you decide to take a calcium supplement then please consider Bone Restore with Vitamin K2 by Life Extension which provides three types of highly absorbable calcium alongside magnesium, vitamin D3, silica and other bone building nutrients. The magnesium in Bone Restore will also hopefully help to relax the body, enhance energy levels and may help with better quality sleep.

I always advocate that supplements should be taken alongside a healthy and balanced diet. Always read the labels of all supplements you purchase to see if there are any warnings that would make them inappropriate for you.

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DISCLAIMER: The views, opinions and information expressed in this article and on Victoriahealth.com Ltd are those of the author(s) in an editorial context. Victoriahealth.com Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or for any consequences arising from the use of the information contained in this editorial or anywhere else on the site. Every effort is made by the editorial and content team to see that no inaccurate or misleading information, opinion or statement appear, nor replace or constitute endorsement from medical bodies or trials unless specified. Victoriahealth.com Ltd accept no liability for the consequences of any inaccurate or misleading data, information, opinion or statement. Information on Victoriahealth.com Ltd and in the editorials is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website or in the editorials for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease, or for the replacement of prescription medication or other treatment.