Many moons ago, a man who worked with me made quite a point of trying to convince me and world that if a person eats properly, he need not take any supplements. I disagreed with him and I explained why. Might I mention, this man made it a point to eat the right foods.

Well, about a week later, he came in complaining that the doctor wanted him to take some vitamins. I mean, he was making it a point that the world knew he was angry.

The fact is, as we get older, two things work against us in getting the proper nutrition. First, as we get older, we simply do not eat as much. My best guess, we are not as active. Our metabolism slows. And, believe it or not, our brain no longer burns as many calories. As a child, our brains use half the calories we take in. As an adult, that drops to 1/5. (Sort explains why it is that we pick up the weight after we reach our mid twenties.

Second, our digestion system does not work as well. I have come the personal conclusion that it collects the calories just as well, the vitamins and minerals, not so much. Now that I am over 70, I take a bunch of supplements, as does my wife. When I noticed my wife being really lethargic, I took her to the hospital. She was low on sodium and vitamin D. The multivitamin was apparently not enough. Moreover, the sodium really hit me. I mean every physician and his cousin is saying cut back on the salt. Well, she is different. Seems she can have all she wants.

Also, there was vitamin D in the multi-vitamin and it still was not enough. Moreover, with the China Virus, we find that we need more D anyway. More than strong bones, it seems to also help our immunity.

Every night, now, it is a ritual my wife and I. We have to take the prescription pills and the supplements.

So, you think you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need from your food, if you are over 40, you just might want to check with your doctor. It seems to me as if that is when the deficiencies hit. Of course for some it will be earlier or later. Just please, don’t wait for a hospital visit to find out that you aren’t getting enough vitamin D.