What tonics are suitable for the elderly?

Aug 01, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Elderly individuals can consume animal-based tonics such as mutton, dog meat, beef, soft-shelled turtle, rabbit meat, shrimp, pigeon eggs, and chicken eggs. Various herbal tonics are also available, including deer antler slices, Shen-Lu Bu Gao (Ginseng-Deer Tonic Paste), Quan-Lu Wan (Whole-Deer Pill), Hai-Ma Bu Shen Wan (Hippocampus Kidney-Tonifying Pill), Shen-Rong Bu Shen Wan (Ginseng-Antler Kidney-Tonifying Pill), Ren-Shen Lu-Rong Wan (Ginseng-Deer Antler Pill), Er-Dong Gao (Two-Winter Tonic Paste), Ba-Zhen Wan (Eight-Treasure Pills), Qing-Chun-Bao (Youth Treasure), Shuang-Bao-Su (Double-Treasure Supplement), and Ginseng Oral Liquid.

With improvements in living standards, many elderly individuals prefer consuming health supplements to enhance their nutrition and help prevent certain diseases. But which supplements are suitable for older adults?

Which Supplements Are Suitable for Older Adults?

Animal-based tonics suitable for the elderly include mutton, dog meat, beef, soft-shelled turtle, rabbit meat, shrimp, pigeon eggs, and chicken eggs. Other commonly used tonics include deer antler slices, Shenlu Bu Gao (Ginseng-Deer Tonic Paste), Quanlu Wan (Whole-Deer Pills), Haima Bushen Wan (Hippocampus Kidney-Tonifying Pills), Erdong Gao (Two-Winter Tonic Paste), Bazhen Wan (Eight-Treasure Pills), Qingchunbao (Youth Treasure), Shuangbao Su (Double-Treasure Supplement), and ginseng oral liquid. Plant-based tonics include red ginseng, Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita), longan aril, walnut kernels, angelica root (Danggui), fo-ti (He Shou Wu), black soybeans, white atractylodes (Baizhu), and sesame seeds. Among these, walnut kernels, longan aril, and silver ear fungus (Tremella fuciformis) serve both as nourishing foods and medicinal tonics, offering particularly potent restorative effects.

Effective nutritional products for the elderly include milk and honey. Milk is an excellent source of calcium and contains abundant protein, vitamins, and minerals—key nutrients essential for combating osteoporosis. Honey is a nutritional treasure uniquely suited to the physiological needs of older adults. As people age, their ability to metabolize glucose declines significantly, whereas fructose metabolism remains relatively stable. This indicates that fructose and fructose-containing products represent the ideal carbohydrate sources for the elderly.

In addition, cultivating healthy lifestyle habits is essential—ensuring adequate sleep and engaging in regular outdoor physical exercise. We hope this information proves helpful!