Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I take a daily multivitamin just to be safe?

While a multivitamin can seem like a good insurance policy, it’s not always necessary and isn’t a substitute for a healthy diet. Some multivitamins may contain high levels of certain nutrients that could be harmful or interact with your medications. The best approach is to talk to your doctor. They may recommend a specific supplement, like vitamin D with calcium or a B12 supplement, rather than a broad-spectrum multivitamin, based on your individual needs and blood test results.

2. How do I know if my medications are affecting my vitamin levels?

This is an excellent and important question for your doctor or pharmacist. When you get a new prescription or during your annual medication review, ask specifically, “Could this medication affect my body’s ability to absorb any key nutrients?” They can provide you with the information you need and may suggest dietary changes or a specific supplement to counteract any effects.

3. Does Medicare cover testing for vitamin deficiencies?

Generally, Medicare Part B will cover diagnostic tests, like a blood test for vitamin D or B12 deficiency, if it is ordered by your doctor and deemed medically necessary to diagnose or treat a medical condition. This means you would need to have symptoms or a health condition that justifies the test. Routine screening without symptoms is typically not covered. For specific coverage questions, it’s always best to refer to the official source at Medicare.gov.

4. Is it possible to get all my nutrients from food alone after 60?

For some people, it is possible. However, due to the age-related changes in absorption and synthesis we’ve discussed, it becomes more challenging for many. It is particularly difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, and absorbing vitamin B12 from food sources becomes less efficient. This is why a food-first approach, supplemented by targeted, doctor-recommended vitamins, is often the most effective strategy for optimal senior health.

5. What’s the difference between “fortified” and “enriched” foods?

These terms are often used on food packaging. “Enriched” means that nutrients that were lost during food processing have been added back in. For example, white flour is often enriched with B vitamins and iron that were removed when the bran and germ were stripped from the whole grain. “Fortified” means that vitamins or minerals have been added to a food that weren’t originally there. A common example is fortifying milk with vitamin D or salt with iodine to help the general population avoid common nutrient deficiencies.