Do we need supplements?

Q

My husband and I are 60 years old and are fortunate enough to be in good health. We eat well and both enjoy walking. I was reading an article recently about multivitamins for people our age and wondered what your thoughts are on this. We take vitamin D every day in the winter, but should we be taking a multivitamin supplement each day, all-year round?

A

If you had asked me that question a few years ago, I would have told you that you should be able to get all the vitamins your body needs from a well-balanced diet. However, there is increasing evidence that over the age of 50 our bodies are less efficient at absorbing nutrients from our food, so I now take a daily multivitamin and recommend anyone over the age of 50 do the same.