Omega-3 for the elderly: why it becomes extra important after age 50
Are you 50+ and wondering if omega-3 supplements are for you? That's a smart question! As you age, your body changes and takes on different needs. Omega-3 fatty acids play an increasingly important role for your health, from your brain to your heart. In this blog, we explain why omega-3 becomes especially important after age 50.
What changes after you turn 50?
Your 50th birthday is more than just a milestone; it also marks changes in your body. Your metabolism slows down and your body makes less of certain substances that it used to produce on its own. You also tend to eat a little less, which sometimes means you get fewer nutrients than your body actually needs.
In addition, certain bodily functions begin to require more support. For example, your brain, heart and eyes need more care than when you were 30. Fortunately, you can support them with good nutrition and supplements. Omega-3 is one of the most important of these.
Why omega-3 is becoming extra important for the elderly
Omega-3 fatty acids must be ingested through food; your body does not make them itself. At the same time, your brain, heart and eyes need more support than when you were younger.
For your brainÂ
Your brain is largely composed of fats, including omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is an important building block for the brain* and helps keep your brain function normal.* As you get older, this becomes increasingly important. You may notice that you lose a word a little more often or that concentrating takes a little more effort.Â
For your eyesight
Your retina naturally contains high levels of DHA, and it is important to maintain this. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision,* which is especially relevant as you age, because your eyes have more to endure. Years of exposure to screens, sunlight and other influences leaves its mark.
For your heart and blood vessels
After age 50, heart health also becomes increasingly important. Your heart has worked hard for years and deserves some extra support. EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function.* EPA and DHA together also help keep your blood pressure normal.* Healthy blood pressure becomes increasingly important as you age.
Which omega-3 suits the elderly best?
There is more choice than ever in omega-3 supplements. Do you have trouble swallowing, hate the fish flavor, or just prefer capsules? There's always something out there.
- Liquid omega-3: easy to take and well absorbed by the body. You can also easily adjust the dosage with it. Arctic Blue's liquid omega-3 fish oil has the 100%-No-Farm Guarantee, so no nasty fish smell. You can also choose algae oil with both DHA and EPA.Â
- Soft omega-3 gummies: very convenient if you don't want capsules or oil. Arctic Blue's omega-3 gummies have a delicious strawberry/citrus flavor, are easy to chew and contain the same valuable omega-3 fatty acids.
- Omega-3 capsules: the choice many people find familiar. They are easy to carry, have no taste while taking them, and you know exactly how much you are taking in.Â
- Pay attention to quality: always choose omega-3 with the MSC label for sustainable fishing and check that it has been tested for purity. Arctic Blue, for example, tests for more than 250 different contaminants.
Combination with other supplements for the elderly
After age 50, you probably won't just take omega-3. Fortunately, you can just use omega-3 alongside other supplements without any problems. These supplements are also used by many older people:
- Vitamin D: Most Dutch people have a low status, especially during the dark winter months. Vitamin D helps maintain normal bones* and supports the immune system.*Â
- Magnesium: this mineral plays a role in more than 300 processes in your body. Magnesium supports normal muscle and nerve function* and helps with fatigue and tiredness.*Â
- Vitamin B12: is mainly found in animal products and is less well absorbed through the intestines. Vitamin B12 helps reduce fatigue and tiredness* and supports energy levels.*Â
Arctic Blue also has omega-3 supplements with added vitamin D, giving you two important supplements in one product.
In conclusion
Omega-3 after age 50 is not a luxury, but a smart choice for your health. It supports the very parts that deserve extra attention: your brain, heart and eyes. Whether you choose liquid omega-3, soft gummies or trusty capsules - the important thing is that you stick with it. Your body has taken good care of you for years. Now it's time to do something in return!
*Approved EFSA health claims. Beneficial effects are obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA (for vision and brain function), 250 mg of EPA and DHA (for the heart) and 3 grams of EPA and DHA (for blood pressure).
