The supplements older adults actually need and the ones they don't

Article excerpt

Older adults face relentless marketing pressure to buy supplements, but evidence suggests most don't need them, unless they have a specific deficiency. Vitamins B12 and D matter when levels drop low; protein, often neglected, helps preserve muscle and independence. The catch: more isn't better. Some supplements cause harm or interfere with medications, turning well-intentioned purchases into health risks. The real question isn't what to take, but what you're actually missing.