Women, who lead busy, stressful and demanding lives, putting other’s needs first and their own last, should consider taking women health supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies in their bodies. When considering which of the many supplements for women on the market are best for you, you need to know what nutrients to look for.
All good women health supplements will contain vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. These are essential ingredients. Vitamin C is particularly important for women because it helps to keep both the heart and the immune system healthy. It also lowers blood pressure and raises good cholesterol (HDL) which reduces the risk of heart disease. Vitamin E, also lowers the risk of heart disease and also reduces the risk of stroke. Antioxidants such as Vitamins E, C and A may also lower the risk of cancer and muscle degeneration.
Supplements for women are particularly important because as women age, the hormonal and other physical changes place additional nutritional demands on the body. It is particularly important that women over the age of 50 ensure they are getting enough Vitamin D which will help them absorb calcium which is essential to protect against osteoporosis. While women are going through menopause, it is recommended they take additional vitamin E and B12 than what might normally be in women health supplements.
Supplements for women should also include organic iron. Women need iron in order to produce red blood cells and an iron deficiency cause anemia. Specially formulated, women health supplements are vital to a women’s health. This is because women have very specific health needs which need to be addressed and our modern polluted world and busy lifestyles make it hard to do so. Most women have serious gaps in their nutritional intake. Largely as a result of poor diet and increased stresses on the body, women are increasingly suffering from breast cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome, infertility and skin problems. Pregnancy and menopause also place serious stresses on a woman’s body.
The best supplements for women will include calcium and magnesium which combine to reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. However, if PMS is a particular problem, there are women health supplements available for specific needs. A supplement designed to assist people with PMS should include Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, choline, taurine and herbs such as licorice root, dong quai root and peony root. These ingredients work synergistically to help relieve PMS. Essential fatty acids can also be beneficial to women who suffer from PMS.
Even if you think you are eating well and therefore do not need to take a vitamin and mineral supplement, if you are in one of the following groups you may need to think again:
o Post menopausal women experience a sudden decline in their levels of estrogen which in turn causes an increase in bone loss. Supplements for women containing Calcium and Vitamin D will help to prevent this bone loss.
o Women who have heavy menstruation may have an iron deficiency due to excessive blood loss. This can cause the blood to be low in hemoglobin (anemia) which carries oxygen in the blood to the tissues. Women health supplements containing organic iron can replace the depleted iron and avoid anemia and its effects.
o Women who are trying to become pregnant or who are already pregnant would benefit from taking various women health supplements. In particular, they should ensure their supplements contain calcium, Vitamin D, folate and iron. It is best to start taking a good supplement before getting pregnant.
Women have nutritional needs that are unique to them and cannot be met by just taking a broad-spectrum multi-vitamin supplement. Supplements for women should certainly contain the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes that we all need, but they should also include ingredients that meet the specific needs of women. You can find women health supplements that are both comprehensive and specific to certain needs.
If you avoid synthetic products, buy a natural broad spectrum women’s supplement, eat a healthy diet, exercise and reduce stress where possible, your health should improve. If you are still experiencing ‘female problems’, look for a specific supplement to meet that need. You won’t look back.
