Supplements for Over 45 NZ: New Zealanders Pay High Price for Healthy
Introduction to Healthcare Costs
The reality facing aging New Zealanders is stark - healthcare costs inevitably climb as we get older, particularly when it comes to supporting bone health, heart health, and skin health.
While the conventional wisdom suggests that a balanced diet rich in essential vitamins—such as vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin D—forms the foundation for reducing chronic disease risk and supporting overall wellbeing, the simple truth is that optimal nutrition from food alone remains frustratingly elusive for many.
Inadequate dietary intake presents a genuine clinical challenge, and it's here that multivitamins and supplements may offer legitimate therapeutic value.
There is a very important caveat here though. By incorporating specific nutrients like calcium carbonate, zinc, and selenium into daily regimens, considerable research indicates these can indeed support bone health, muscle health, and energy levels - particularly as we navigate the relentless demands of modern life.
It's that simple, yet that complex. Regular intake of clinically-indicated vitamins and minerals has demonstrated measurable benefits for maintaining healthy vision, brain function, and nervous system integrity, all of which become increasingly critical as we age.
A targeted combination of nutrients—such as biotin for hair and skin health, iron for vitality, and chromium for metabolic function—can provide valuable additional support for mental clarity and overall health today, though these represent supplements to, not substitutes for, foundational lifestyle choices.
Of course, the clinical reality demands consultation with healthcare professionals before initiating any supplementation protocol, particularly when symptoms persist or underlying medical conditions exist.
This approach ensures evidence-based selection of vitamins and minerals tailored to individual clinical presentations, supporting general health and wellbeing through scientifically-grounded interventions rather than marketing-driven choices.
The supplement landscape in New Zealand has expanded considerably, offering targeted options for eye health, hair, joints, and more - though navigating this market requires informed decision-making rather than opportunistic purchasing.
Many established brands leverage promotional offers and discounts, making evidence-based supplementation more financially accessible for those seeking to maintain optimal health.
Whether addressing specific clinical deficiencies or exploring opportunities to 'tip the scales' in favor of long-term wellness, there's a comprehensive range of options—from fish oil and glucosamine to therapeutic herbs and minerals—designed for those committed to evidence-based health optimization.
The bottom line remains clear: by prioritizing health and wellbeing through clinically-appropriate nutrient strategies, individuals can potentially reduce long-term healthcare expenditure, support optimal physiological function, and pursue a more vibrant existence - though only as part of a comprehensive approach to healthy living that no supplement regimen can replace.
To supplement or not to supplement, that is the question
Dr Mulgan's Reminder on a the importance of a health diet
A recent article offers a timely reminder that supplements are no substitute for a healthy lifestyle. I couldn't agree more - so why did I develop LifeGuard Essentials?
A recent sponsored Herald article (by NZ Eggs) “Kiwis pay high price for health” is a timely reminder that none of us can supplement our way out of unhealthy dietary and lifestyle choices.
Nutrition, along with adequate sleep and exercise, is the core of good health. It's that simple.
The implications of a high stress, sedentary lifestyle and a diet of takeaways and processed food simply can't be overridden with a daily multi-vitamin and a couple of fish-oil capsules!
There is a very important ‘but' here though. ‘Supplements' is a very broad umbrella term and quite simply not all are created equal.
The article cites iron and folic acid as specific examples of supplementation which are at times clinically indicated for particular individuals (or particular situations such as pregnancy) to ensure good health – even though the patient's dietary choices may indeed be very good.
Equally, there are elements in nature - which unfortunately do not present as very appealing or easily obtained food sources - that considerable research indicates can add a valuable extra boost to an already optimal diet.
Anti-inflammatory neutraceuticals, taken in capsule form, fall into this category. For those of us interested in exploring all available opportunities to ‘tip the scales' in our favour and make the best choices for our long-term heath, a degree of supplementation can indeed be a valuable addition to an already balanced and healthy lifestyle.
A dysregulated inflammatory state is increasingly common as we age and has been linked by extensive research to the major diseases of our later years.
The opportunity to take advantage of potent anti-inflammatory elements provided by the natural world to add a boost to an already healthy lifestyle is exactly why I developed LifeGuard Essentials.
If you're interested in finding out more about the detail and fascinating science behind systemic inflammation and its effects on our health and the role of certain foods and their other natural options have a look at my book The Internal Flame
