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Over 50? You might not be getting enough of these two vital vitamins

Feeling weak, totally exhausted are just two of list of side effects

Over 50? You might not be getting enough of these two vital vitamins

Feeling weak, totally exhausted are just two of list of side effects

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Over 50? You might not be getting enough of these two vital vitamins

Feeling weak, totally exhausted are just two of list of side effects

There are a lot of great things that come with age, like wisdom and more freedom (hello, retirement!). But there are also things that become more challenging, like absorbing certain nutrients. Chief among them: vitamin D (a major immune system bolsterer) and vitamin B12, which helps regulate our metabolism and keeps us energized, according to the National Institutes of Health. Older adults often experience a decrease in the production of stomach acid, which can make it harder to absorb vitamin B12, explains Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE and author of the "Belly Fat Diet for Dummies." Coming up short on the nutrient can lead to fatigue and weakness and has been positively associated with cognitive decline, according to the NIH. The body also becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into vitamin D, Palinski-Wade says. Not getting enough of the nutrient can put your bones at risk of becoming weak and soft, and the odds of this happening are even more likely for older folks. “After menopause, women experience a drop off in certain hormones that accelerate bone loss,” Palinski-Wade notes. The best way to help ward off nutritional shortcomings (and the potential health consequences) is to add more foods rich in D and B12 to your diet. Here, easy-to-make options that you can fit into your daily meals and snack times. Breakfast: Whole eggsPer large egg: 10% DV B12, 10% DV vitamin DSure, egg whites are a low-fat, low-calorie food, but if you remove the yolk, you’re also tossing out a healthy dose of both vitamin D and B12. That's why we recommend eating eggs whole. Try this: Sick of that same old scramble? Try enjoying eggs in a Brussels sprouts hash, baked in tomato sauce or as a topping on flatbread. You can also hard-boil a dozen at the beginning of the week for easy morning munching. Pair with a portable piece of fruit (think: an apple, pear or banana) for an on-the-go meal complete with carbs, healthy fats and protein.Lunch: Light, canned tunaPer 3-ounce serving: 42% DV B12, 39% DV vitamin DThis fatty fish is a good source of vitamins D and B12, says Palinski-Wade. It also serves up healthy fats, potassium and iron, a nutrient that helps different proteins deliver oxygen to your body. Look for a canned, light tuna to ensure it has a low mercury content, the Food and Drug Administration suggests.Try this: For an extra helping of vitamins, make a tuna salad with Greek yogurt. Dairy products like yogurt are often fortified with vitamin D — and, because they’re animal products, they’re already a good source of B12, Palinski-Wade says. Spoon the mixture on whole wheat bread or serve over a bed of greens, veggies and beans.Snack time: BOOST OriginalPer bottle: 35% DV B12, 60% DV vitamin DWe’re fans of BOOST Original Nutritional Drinks because they’re a good source of vitamins D and B12, and also contain 10 grams of protein, a nutrient the NIH says helps us maintain healthy bones and muscles.Try this: With flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, the drink is tasty enough to drink straight out of the bottle. But it also works well as a base for smoothies, muffins and even a sweet potato soufflé. Check out some recipe ideas here. Dinner: SalmonPer 3-ounce serving: 80% DV B12, 112% DV vitamin DVitamin D is notoriously hard to find in unfortified foods, but with over 100 percent of the day’s intake, salmon is an exception to the rule. It also a great source of protein and vitamin B6, which helps keep the nervous system and immune system healthy, according to the Mayo Clinic.Try this: For a Mediterranean take on this fatty fish, drizzle 3 ounces of salmon with a spoonful of olive oil (which is rich in healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) and a some chopped, potassium-rich tomatoes.

There are a lot of great things that come with age, like wisdom and more freedom (hello, retirement!). But there are also things that become more challenging, like absorbing certain nutrients. Chief among them: vitamin D (a major immune system bolsterer) and vitamin B12, which helps regulate our metabolism and keeps us energized, according to the .

Older adults often experience a decrease in the production of stomach acid, which can make it harder to absorb vitamin B12, explains and author of the "." Coming up short on the nutrient can lead to fatigue and weakness and has been positively associated with cognitive decline, .

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The body also becomes less efficient at converting sunlight into vitamin D, Palinski-Wade says. Not getting enough of the nutrient can put your bones at risk of becoming weak and soft, and the odds of this happening are even more likely for older folks.

“After menopause, women experience a drop off in certain hormones that accelerate bone loss,” Palinski-Wade notes.

The best way to help ward off nutritional shortcomings (and the potential health consequences) is to add more foods rich in D and B12 to your diet. Here, easy-to-make options that you can fit into your daily meals and snack times.

Breakfast: Whole eggs

Per large egg: 10% DV B12, 10% DV vitamin D

Sure, egg whites are a low-fat, low-calorie food, but if you remove the yolk, you’re also tossing out a healthy dose of both vitamin D and B12. That's why we recommend eating eggs whole.

Try this: Sick of that same old scramble? Try enjoying eggs in a , or as a . You can also hard-boil a dozen at the beginning of the week for easy morning munching. Pair with a portable piece of fruit (think: an apple, pear or banana) for an on-the-go meal complete with carbs, healthy fats and protein.

Tuna salad
Getty ImagesLew Robertson

Lunch: Light, canned tuna

Per 3-ounce serving: 42% DV B12, 39% DV vitamin D

This fatty fish is a good source of vitamins D and B12, says Palinski-Wade. It also serves up healthy fats, potassium and iron, a nutrient that helps different proteins deliver oxygen to your body. Look for a canned, light tuna to ensure it has a low mercury content, the Food and Drug Administration .

Try this: For an extra helping of vitamins, make a . Dairy products like yogurt are often fortified with vitamin D — and, because they’re animal products, they’re already a good source of B12, Palinski-Wade says. Spoon the mixture on whole wheat bread or serve over a bed of greens, veggies and beans.

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Boost Nutrition

Snack time: BOOST Original

Per bottle: 35% DV B12, 60% DV vitamin D

We’re fans of because they’re a good source of vitamins D and B12, and also contain 10 grams of protein, a nutrient the helps us maintain healthy bones and muscles.

Try this: With flavors like chocolate, strawberry and vanilla, the drink is tasty enough to drink straight out of the bottle. But it also works well as a base for smoothies, muffins and even a sweet potato soufflé. Check out some recipe ideas .

Grilled salmon with salad
Getty ImagesClaudia Totir

Dinner: Salmon

Per 3-ounce serving: 80% DV B12, 112% DV vitamin D

Vitamin D is notoriously hard to find in unfortified foods, but with over 100 percent of the day’s intake, salmon is an exception to the rule. It also a great source of protein and vitamin B6, which helps keep the nervous system and immune system healthy, according to .

Try this: For a Mediterranean take on this fatty fish, drizzle 3 ounces of salmon with a spoonful of olive oil (which is rich in healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats) and a some chopped, potassium-rich tomatoes.