# The Supplements You Can Stop Taking After 60
BBC Good Food consulted health experts to identify which supplements deliver real value for older adults and which ones drain wallets without evidence. The advice cuts through marketing noise that targets aging consumers with promises of vitality and longevity.
After 60, bodies change. Absorption of certain nutrients shifts. Metabolism slows. These realities matter more than supplement trends. Experts point out that most people over 60 get sufficient vitamins through food if they eat a balanced diet with adequate protein, leafy greens, and fortified grains.
The supplements worth ditching include many multivitamins, which studies show provide minimal benefit for people eating reasonably well. Collagen supplements, turmeric powders marketed for joints, and high-dose antioxidants lack strong evidence supporting their use. Consumers waste billions annually on products that produce no measurable health outcomes.
Two supplements deserve to stay in your medicine cabinet. Vitamin B12 becomes harder to absorb from food after 60, making supplementation or fortified foods essential for nerve function and energy. Vitamin D also matters, particularly for those with limited sun exposure or darker skin tones, since the body produces less D3 as it ages.
The practical approach involves bloodwork. A doctor can measure your actual nutrient levels rather than guessing. Someone with strong B12 absorption and adequate vitamin D may need nothing. Another person might require multiple targeted supplements.
Food remains the foundation. Salmon delivers vitamin D and omega-3s. Eggs contain choline and lutein. Legumes provide fiber and minerals. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil addresses most nutritional needs for aging bodies.
The message resonates simply: stop paying for supplements your body doesn't need. Invest in foods that nourish.