by Melissa Chichester
Supplements can play a role in bridging nutritional gaps, providing essential nutrients they might be missing. Here are some key supplements for women to consider.
Multivitamins are a convenient way to ensure you get a broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals. Women’s multivitamins are specially formulated to address the unique nutritional needs of women, which can vary depending on age, lifestyle, and health status.
For people who have trouble swallowing multivitamins, Puritan’s Pride Women’s Multivitamin Gummies Plus Collagen can help. It has a delicious raspberry flavor and features biotin for hair, skin, and nail health plus energy metabolism support.* Furthermore, this formula contains folic acid and collagen to help support overall health.*
Folate (or Vitamin B9) occurs naturally in foods, especially in dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, peas, dairy products, poultry, eggs, seafood, and grains. Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord birth defect. Folate intake should not exceed 1,000 mcg or 1,667 DFE daily. Folate is also part of a triad of B vitamins (along with B-6 and B-12) that help promote heart health.*
Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. It supplies gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid. For centuries, evening primrose oil has been used to provide nutritional support for women; it may also play a role in promoting smooth, healthy-looking skin.*
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, playing a role in the structure and function of skin, hair, and nails. It is also present in connective tissues responsible for forming the cushion between joints and bones. As we age, collagen production naturally declines. Women typically have less collagen than men, making it a beneficial supplement.
>>Collagen 101: Supporting Skin and Joint Health
Black cohosh is an herb native to North America and part of the buttercup family. Black cohosh has been traditionally used to help support the physical changes that occur in a woman’s body over time.* This includes use for menopause support.*
Vitamin D is involved in many aspects of health, including bone health, immune function, and more.* Many women are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially those who live in northern latitudes, have darker skin, or spend most of their time indoors.
>>Vitamin D and Sunlight: Striking the Right Balance
Of all the minerals working in your body, calcium is one of the most important. In addition to its primary function of supporting strong bones and teeth, calcium is involved with heartbeat regulation, plays a role in proper muscle contraction, and promotes nerve function.*
However, your body does not produce calcium, so if you are not getting enough through your diet, supplements are an option. In addition, Vitamin D is essential to helping calcium properly absorb in the body.*
Women of childbearing age, particularly pregnant women are the most common demographic suffering from iron deficiency according to the Centers for Disease Control. Women of reproductive age are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency due to menstruation.
Iron is a vital component of the hemoglobin in red blood cells necessary to deliver oxygen to cells throughout the body, including muscle cells.* Iron also supports the normal production of red blood cells and is critical to maintaining energy metabolism.* It also works with enzymes involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.*
Taking a proactive approach to your health with a nutritious diet and targeted supplementation can help you feel your best at every stage of life. While a balanced diet is the cornerstone of good health, supplements can provide valuable support in meeting your nutritional needs. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.
Want to discover what supplements fit into your healthy routine? Answer some questions about your health and wellness goals and get vitamin recommendations just for you! It only takes five minutes.
| * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
