The health and wellness industry is thriving, driven in large part today by health-savvy Millennials who want good health long into the future. But age happens to us all, as even the youngest of the Baby Boomers who are now in their 60s can attest. And with age come new health concerns and new nutritional and dietary needs.

Women can be prone to certain conditions as they age. If health isn’t properly managed, aging bodies can impact not only your quality of life, but also life itself. As you reach your 60s, it’s important to change up your nutritional habits to account for your body’s new needs. After all, your digestion and metabolism may work slower than they did in your younger years, making it harder to process certain foods—and even harder to absorb the nutrients they contain. This can leave your body low on essential nutrients, including those that your body needs most at this stage of life.

Symptoms like declining mental clarity and growing bone and muscle weakness can slow even the most active adults. While maintaining an active body and mind can keep you younger than your years, it’s important to remember that nutrition plays a vital role in your health. And many of the symptoms of oncoming age can be minimized or even prevented with the right nutritional support.

Supplementation is an important part of a balanced, healthy life, especially when certain nutrients are hard to come by through your food. And this can become the norm because aging bodies may have a harder time processing and absorbing nutrients. While you should always check with your physician prior to starting a supplementation routine, research has shown that certain supplements may help maintain good health when taken as part of a comprehensively healthy lifestyle.

Best Supplements, Minerals & Vitamins For Women Over 60

Without further adieu, here are the supplements you should add to your wellness routine once you hit your 60s.

Calcium

Your bones are as strong as they will ever be when you are in your 30s. If you haven’t given your bone health much attention, it could be on the decline. But even if you’ve always taken care of your bones, you can (and should) optimize their health by taking calcium. Calcium is vital for a strong skeleton, and the majority of calcium in the body is stored directly in the bones. That means if you aren’t getting enough, your bones are being quickly depleted, making them prone to brittleness and the onslaught of osteoporosis.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also essential for strong bones. This vitamin is also crucial to maintaining good health overall. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to certain cancers, and poor absorption of calcium. If you want to ensure that your bones (and body) have what they need to stay strong into your later years, make sure to supplement with Vitamin D. The majority of U.S. adults are deficient in Vitamin D, because sunscreen use prevents its formation. And sunshine on bare skin is rarely recommended. So Vitamin D supplements can help ensure your body has what it needs, at an age when you may arguably need it most.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo BIloba may help improve your memory and mental clarity. The Aging and Memory Research Center at UCLA conducted a study that showed that participants with age-related memory loss experienced better verbal recall after taking Ginkgo Biloba for six months. Other studies have shown that it may be beneficial in slowing dementia-related memory loss.

Protein

Protein is vital for bone and muscle strength. After you hit 30, your body tends to lose 3% to 5% of muscle mass every decade. So by the time you’ve reached your 60s, if you haven’t actively focused on maintaining mass and strength, you may experience weakness and decreased mobility. Stronger muscles are an important part of a healthy, post-50s life. They can help stabilize the body to prevent falls. They can also help ward off injuries that could become debilitating for weaker bones and muscles. While you can get protein from a variety of foods, your body may have a harder time breaking down the nutrients than it once did. Protein powders and other supplements can be helpful to ensure you get the nutrition you need, and start building up your muscles.

Magnesium

With greater focus on bone health, it’s equally important to focus on heart health. Especially since calcium can tighten up muscles like the heart. Because magnesium relaxes the muscles, it minimizes the tightening effects of calcium that could lead to heart problems. Magnesium can also help you sleep better, which helps the brain, body and its systems stay regulated and in better health. Keeping calcium and magnesium balanced is crucial to your wellness.

Supplements can be beneficial, but always check with your doctor to ensure they are safe for you, and any medications you might be taking. If your doctor gives you the ‘thumbs up,’ check out these top-rated supplements to find what your body needs to develop and maintain its peak performance.