Some more very good nutrients for older people include:
1) Ubiquinol. The active ingredient in Coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ10) which can now be purchased separately. Now sold in most grocery and drug stores.
“This oil-soluble, vitamin-like substance is present in most cells, primarily in the mitochondria. It is a component of the electron transport chain and participates in aerobic cellular respiration, generating energy in the form of ATP. Ninety-five percent of the human body’s energy is generated this way. Therefore, those organs with the highest energy requirements, such as the heart, liver and kidneys have the highest CoQ10 concentrations.”
Importantly, Statin drugs against high cholesterol can reduce serum levels of CoQ10 by up to 40%. Combined with a natural decline in biosynthesis in the body, older people can suffer a dangerous deficiency of CoQ10, again affecting their heart, liver and kidneys.
2) Inulin enhanced fructo-oligosaccharides. Still somewhat hard to find at other than Hi-Health stores or online, this is a special water soluble fiber. It is only digested in the colon, where it has the effect of stimulating the production of “mucin”.
Mucin is a gel-like protective coating that exists throughout the body, and particularly in the lining of the colon. Having a thicker mucin coat there limits the absorption of the toxic chemicals and pathogens found in the bowels. And this mucin layer also hosts a bacteria that further blocks pathogens and toxic chemicals from reentering the bloodstream through the walls of the colon.
This can be a major problem for older people whose wastes tend to slowly poison them over time.
3) Vitamin D3. Vitamin D is a vital part of the immune system and a major part of the defense against pathogenic bacteria and viruses. So it is very important to maintain healthy serum levels, especially in winter.
4) Glucosamine (sulfate form, not HCL or N-acetylglucosamine). Generally regarded as helpful in reducing arthritis-associated joint problems.
A lot of interesting information here. Some other substances to consider are pycnogenol and Ascorble Palmitate. I had a lot of low grade frequent illness when I was young. Have spent 40+ years learning how to take care of myself. Now at 76 even with a lot of stress I am in good health and doing interesting new things. I do take a number of supplements, carefully studied and added to over the years. In my fifties, I helped a friend move a concrete garden statue. Three days later I could not raise my extended arm higher than my shoulder. This persisted for several years. Then a friend offered to sell me pycnogenol (Kaire was the brand). This was 20 years ago. He said it was good for allergies which I have. I took one tiny tablet and in 15 minutes my nasal passages opened up like a tunnel, so I bought a bottle and took it every day. A week or two later, I noticed I could raise my arm higher than my shoulder. Within the month, I had gained back more than 90% of range of motion on that arm. Now it is about 98%. It is amazing stuff if you get a reliable product. Fixes all kinds of things. Don’t know if it would help brain tissue healing, but trying for a month or two couldn’t hurt. Google for dosage information. It’s a bit pricey, so I use it occasionally when I feel an vagrant ache or respiratory symptom.
Vitamin D is now being recommended at 1,000 to 2,000 units a day with a 4,000 max for safety. It seems to operate throughout the body and has a hormonal quality. It is also helpful for SAD, the winter depression symptom. If you have this take more in the winter and less when you are getting out in the sun in warmer weather.