Final answer:
Elderly people may benefit from calcium and Vitamin D supplements for bone health, and potentially Vitamin B12 due to age-related decreases in absorption. Supplementation should be approached with caution and professional advice. Iron is not commonly needed unless deficiency is present.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elderly people may benefit from a variety of dietary supplements to support their health. These include calcium for bone health, especially critical to prevent or manage osteoporosis; Vitamin D for calcium absorption and bone strength; and potentially Vitamin B12, as the ability to absorb it from the diet decreases with age. While iron is necessary, it's usually not recommended as a supplement for the elderly unless they have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, which is less common in this age group. Overall, the most beneficial supplements, particularly in preventing conditions like osteoporosis, are calcium and Vitamin D.
It's also worth noting that Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin with antioxidant properties and is important for the immune system, but it's not generally age-specific in the absence of a deficient diet. On the other hand, certain minerals such as phosphorous are stored in the body and play a key role in bone and tooth mineralization alongside calcium.
However, any supplementation should be carefully considered and, in many cases, discussed with a healthcare professional, as over-supplementation can have adverse effects, and the needs can vary significantly depending on an individual's health status and dietary intake.