Interview with an energetic nonagenarian (97 years young): tips and favourite supplements

SuperSmart: Could you start by telling us a little more about yourself?
Mrs R. : My name is Mrs R. (customer prefers to remain anonymous, Ed.), I had 4 children and I worked in retail.

What does daily life look like for you now, as you approach your centenary?
Well, I take care of myself and my house … I live alone and do everything myself: shopping, I still drive, do my own cooking ... I have always cooked as naturally and healthily as possible, using only organic ingredients. I followed my mother’s example, who did the same thing, and who died at the grand old age of 102 and a half!

What health concerns or aches and pains have started to appear as you’ve got older?
Generally, I feel good and am often told I don’t look my age. I still walk well without a stick like I did at the age of 70! Many people aren’t as fortunate and have been living in a nursing home for some time by my age. But I do have sarcopenia (significant loss of muscle mass and strength, Ed.) and a bit of arthritis. And in December 2023, I had an angina attack (angina pectoris, Ed.): I called the emergency services and was taken to hospital and I now have to take two kinds of medication in the evening. I had hardening of the arteries which increased my blood pressure. And I sometimes feel a bit tired. But generally speaking, I still feel good for my age, I’m lucky that I often get compliments …

How long ago did you start taking supplements and what made you do so?
It was a very long time ago, years and years, around the early nineties. I must have been having some minor problems at the time, particularly with my joints, osteoarthritis actually. Your products gave me some relief. I still have a little in my fingers but it hasn’t got a lot worse, they’re a bit painful from time to time but that’s normal, there’s wear and tear, after all. (laughs). That’s also when I started taking vitamins. At that time, I was still reading the printed version of Nutranews (the forerunner to the SuperSmart blog, ndlr).

Which supplements are you taking at the moment?
I take lots of things. I’m taking a course of Ursolic Acid for my sarcopenia. I really like Super Ashwagandha, a relaxing plant that calms me down a bit, as I’m quite emotional, or rhodiola for the same reason. Otherwise I take liposomal vitamin C, OptiMag for magnesium, that’s also very good, as well as Daily 3 to stock up on vitamins and minerals. And I often take omega-3. The supplement Anti-Acid Reflux Formula, helps relieve my stomach and acid reflux issues, and Sleep Gummies help me sleep.

Would you say these supplements help you to remain healthy in general, and provide relief from your everyday ailments?
I ‘self-treat’ almost exclusively with your supplements and I’m very happy with them. They really help me a lot: I can feel it and I have no particular health problems except the age-related hardening of the arteries which caused the angina. As I get older, I have minor day-to-day ailments, but your products help with my digestion, my sleep, etc. I also recommend them to my nearest and dearest.

Do you have any other health tips to share with us, from your long life experience?
First and foremost, I focus on eating healthily: vegetables, fruit, I don’t eat meat any more (I get my protein from grains). I also take plant protein powder. As for probiotics, I make my own kefir: I use kefir grains to produce a litre which I drink over 3 days. In terms of physical activity, I walk 1km-2km a day. Apart from that, I get everything I need from you.

Do you order your SuperSmart products on-line or by phone?
I order by phone.

Do you ever have any questions about your supplements?
I sometimes wonder if I’m taking too many at the same time, and that maybe I should take a more structured approach. Otherwise, I’m interested in some of your ‘anti-ageing’ products, such as Telomeres Maintenance Formula, Resveratrol, Astragaloside IV, L-Carnosine… which I haven’t tried yet, I’d like more information on this. I’m also starting to get into collagen.

No problem, our customer service will get back to you with answers to your questions. Finally, do you have any advice for the younger generation, for those who want to live longer, healthier lives?
It’s simple, my advice to them is to eat organic, manage their stress levels, make full use of medicinal plants and walk regularly.