• Three B Vitamins: B6, B12, and folic acid (folate). These vitamins can become depleted as one ages, compromising the body's ability to fight disease, including heart disease. The B vitamins may be associated with memory function as well. In the diet, B6 is plentiful in fish, chicken, liver, pork and eggs; B12 in red and organ meats; and folate in leafy vegetables, liver, some fruits, and fortified breads and cereals.
• Coenzyme Q10. Preliminary evidence suggests that this compound, which occurs naturally in the body and is found in food sources such as cold-water, oily fish, whole grains, and liver and other organ meats, may benefit the heart. Coenzyme Q10, which is available in supplement form, also is being studied for its possible protective role in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
• Lycopene. Tomatoes and other red vegetables are packed with this carotenoid, which can significantly lower the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease.

If you're worried that the food you eat might not supply all of the nutrients you need to ward off disease, consider supplements to round out nutrient intake. "You might not need supplements if you ate the world's best diet," says Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research, "but how many of us count the vitamin content of our food?"

Consider a Multi-vitamin
A traditional daily multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is a popular and safe start to filling any nutritional void. "Overall, it's wise to take a multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement in our adult years — probably in childhood, too," notes aging expert Williams.

Even then, you may need additional supplements to stay healthy, particularly as you age and your body becomes less efficient at processing nutrients. Most of the nutrients above are available in supplement form at your local grocery or vitamin store or pharmacy.

Be sure to stay within recommended doses of any purchased supplements, though, because the risk of toxicity exists. Be especially careful when products are unavailable in the United States and must be ordered from overseas sources because their quality may be sub-standard.

To be on the safe side, it's wise to find a doctor who can give you supplementation advice based on your age, dietary habits and any medical conditions.