From 60 onwards, magnesium for muscles and nerves, vitamin D for the bones, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA for brain function and vitamin B12, whose absorption can decline with age, are particularly relevant. Melatonin can reduce the time taken to fall asleep. Exercise and sufficient protein remain the most important basis.
Over the years, appetite, metabolism and the body's ability to absorb and utilise certain nutrients change. Anyone who has passed 60 therefore benefits from a conscious look at their own supply – not out of worry or fear, but in order to support mobility, energy and well-being in everyday life and to stay active. In this guide we classify honestly which nutrients are relevant in this stage of life with EU-approved statements, how not to lose sight of the fundamentals, and which Scheunengut products are suitable for seniors. Without scaremongering, but with a clear line for good decisions. Because in old age it matters less to take as many preparations as possible than to keep an eye on the few truly relevant nutrients and not to lose sight of diet and exercise – that is exactly where we place the emphasis here.
What matters for the goal over 60 / seniors
These assessed nutrient statements are particularly important with ageing, because they concern areas that need more attention in old age:
- Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, to the normal function of the nervous system, to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin D and calcium contribute to the maintenance of normal bones; vitamin D additionally contributes to normal muscle function.
- DHA (omega-3) contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision (from 250 mg daily).
- Vitamin B12 and folate contribute to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness – B12 absorption can decline with age.
- Melatonin contributes to the reduction of the time taken to fall asleep (with 1 mg shortly before bedtime).
Two points deserve special attention in old age. First, the maintenance of muscle: from around 60 onwards, muscle mass naturally decreases more quickly, which is why nutrients for muscle and nerve function as well as sufficient protein and exercise gain in importance. Second, absorption capacity: the body can draw some nutrients such as vitamin B12 less well from food in old age, so that a targeted supply can be sensible.
Some popular substances such as coenzyme Q10, on the other hand, carry no authorised health claim. Q10 is a substance produced by the body itself, occurring in the mitochondria of almost all cells; we therefore describe it neutrally in terms of its origin, purity and dosage, and not in terms of a claimed effect. For us, this honesty is inseparably part of a serious recommendation.
A practical note on selection in old age: less is often more. Instead of a large number of different preparations, it usually makes more sense to concentrate on the few nutrients for which a need is actually likely or proven – above all vitamin D in the dark months, vitamin B12 with declining absorption and magnesium with a one-sided diet. Also pay attention to good tolerability and a form of administration that makes taking it easy for you: small, easily swallowed tablets or capsules increase the likelihood that you will actually sustain a routine. And if you already take medication, expert coordination is all the more important, because some substances can influence one another.
Our product recommendations
The following selection covers central concerns: muscles and nerves, sleep, brain and general energy.
Magnesium complex from 4 bioactive sources
Magnesium is one of the most versatile nutrients for ageing, because it is involved in very many bodily functions. This complex bundles four bioactive magnesium sources with 400 mg of elemental magnesium per daily dose. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function, to the normal function of the nervous system, to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue – points that are particularly noticeable in the everyday life of seniors. The combination of different sources ensures a broad spectrum of compounds in one product.
Melatonin sleep complex with magnesium
Lighter, frequently interrupted sleep is part of everyday life for many older people and can impair well-being during the day. Melatonin contributes to the reduction of the time taken to fall asleep (with 1 mg shortly before going to bed), supplemented with magnesium for a normal function of the nervous system. The low-dose tablets are easy to build into your evening routine, easy to swallow, and with 365 pieces one pack lasts particularly long.
Complex with omega-3, DHA & folic acid
For the supply of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, this complex is particularly suitable when fish is only rarely on the menu. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function and normal vision (from 250 mg daily), and the folic acid it contains contributes to normal psychological function. Both are officially authorised statements that concern exactly the areas that gain in importance in old age.
Coenzyme Q10 – ubiquinone from plant fermentation
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced by the body itself, occurring in almost all cells of the body. Our high-dose ubiquinone comes from plant fermentation and is thus also suitable for a plant-based diet. Since no authorised health claim exists for Q10, we deliberately and honestly describe it only in terms of its origin, purity and dosage – for everyone who wants to supplement this body-own substance specifically and in tested quality, without us attaching a promise of effect to it.
Fundamentals first
Supplementation is a sensible building block in old age – but only one of many, and that should be said openly. Regular exercise, ideally with a little strength training, maintains muscle and balance and prevents falls, which in old age are one of the most common causes of limitations. A protein-rich diet counteracts age-related muscle loss, and sufficient drinking is important because the sense of thirst often declines in old age. Social contact and mental stimulation are demonstrably good for the mind. Have your values – such as vitamin D and B12 – checked medically, especially if you regularly take medication, because interactions are more common in old age and deserve attention. On this basis you supplement in a targeted way, rather than reaching for a handful of capsules at random.
One final thought for everyday life: consistency beats quantity. A small, well-tolerated routine that you reliably sustain brings more than a full cupboard of preparations that disappear into the drawer after two weeks. Attach the intake to fixed habits – such as breakfast or brushing your teeth in the evening – then you forget it less often. At the same time, stay curious and attentive to your body: is your sleep, your daytime energy, your mental freshness changing? Such observations are more valuable than any advertising promise. The goal over 60 is not to take as much as possible, but to be supplied as suitably as possible while remaining mobile, alert and self-determined – and for that, the right fundamentals and a targeted, manageable supplementation are the best way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is vitamin B12 a topic in old age?
The ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food can decline over the years. B12 contributes to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness, which is why a good supply is important. A medical check of the value gives clarity about your needs.
What does coenzyme Q10 really do?
For Q10 there is no authorised health claim in the EU. It is a substance produced by the body itself; we therefore describe it only in terms of origin and dosage and deliberately make no promises of effect – that is the honest answer.
Can I take several of these products together?
In principle yes, if you keep to the respective daily doses. Especially in old age and with concurrent medication, however, you should coordinate the combination with your doctor in order to avoid possible interactions.
How important is magnesium for seniors?
Magnesium is involved in many functions and contributes, among other things, to normal muscle and nerve function, to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness. It is thus among the most versatile nutrients of this stage of life.
Does melatonin help against waking up at night?
The authorised statement refers to reducing the time taken to fall asleep with 1 mg before going to bed, not to sleeping through the night. In the case of persistent sleep problems, a medical consultation is the better route than a higher self-administered dose, because other causes can also lie behind persistently poor sleep, which can be addressed in a targeted way.
Note: Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet or for medical treatment. If you have persistent complaints, are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, please talk to your doctor beforehand.
Health notice: This guide is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual medical or pharmaceutical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. If you have health concerns, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. How our guides are created →
Sources
- EU Register of authorised health claims — Europäische Kommission, 2024
- Scientific assessments of nutrients and health claims — Europäische Behörde für Lebensmittelsicherheit (EFSA), 2023
- Reference values and recommendations for nutrient intake — Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung, 2024
- Consumer information on food supplements — Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, 2023
