Vitamin habits, stroke risk, and brain health in older adults
For older adults, vitamins can support overall health, but more is not necessarily better. Some supplements can interact with medicines or cause harm when taken in excessive amounts.
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Avoid megadoses. Taking large amounts of vitamins—especially vitamins A, E, B6, or niacin—without medical guidance can cause adverse effects.
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Be cautious with vitamin E supplements. High-dose vitamin E may increase bleeding risk, which is particularly important for people taking blood-thinning medicines.
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Check vitamin B12. Older adults are more likely to have difficulty absorbing B12. A deficiency can cause anemia and neurological problems; a clinician can determine whether testing or supplementation is appropriate.
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Don’t rely on vitamins to prevent stroke. Stroke prevention focuses much more on controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, physical activity, diet, and atrial fibrillation than on taking vitamin supplements.
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Prefer food sources when possible. A varied diet containing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish, and other nutrient-rich foods generally provides a safer mix of nutrients.
If someone has already had a stroke or takes aspirin, warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel, or another blood thinner, they should check with their clinician or pharmacist before starting a new supplement.
