Women have unique and complex body processes essential to the existence and continuity of the human race. A woman undergoes her menstrual cycle that causes hormonal changes, and experiences dramatic body changes during pregnancy, and even after childbirth and lactation.
That’s why women need the right amount of vitamins found in a balanced diet, which is rich in nutrient-dense, whole and organic, and unprocessed food.
But even if women stick to a healthy diet, there’s still a possibility of not getting all the essential nutrients needed, most especially with increased metabolism during illness, and lack of time to prepare healthy meals due to urgent family matters or they are simply too busy with work.
Learn more about why women’s vitamins are beneficial to life by continuing to read below.
Excellently Perform Duties and Responsibilities
Women, most especially mothers who have a lot of duties and responsibilities at home, like taking care of small children and fetching school-age children from school. Happy childhood and family life greatly rely on the presence of a mother in the family and even in society.
Parenting and managing household chores, or being a career woman, can quickly deplete a woman’s energy and nutrient reserves, causing nutritional gaps.
Aside from increasing your dietary intake of vitamin-rich foods, there are many good reasons to consider vitamin supplementation to your healthy lifestyle routine. But you shouldn’t just take any vitamins; instead, focus on the best food supplements that can provide you with the right daily amounts of vitamins you need. You can check this in-depth review of Ritual vitamins to find out more about women’s vitamins.
Overcome Health Issues
Women do an excellent job when it comes to multi-tasking, such as doing the laundry while washing the dishes, taking care of the baby, and making important phone calls. However, women also face health issues. Overcoming health issues can be challenging if you don’t have the right amount of nutrients. That’s why women need vitamins to fight stress and illnesses.
Here are a few examples of vitamins that women need to overcome health issues:
- Vitamin C: It improves immunity against colds, and infections, and protects your vision and skin from harmful UV rays and environmental pollution. As people get older or when they are under a lot of stress, ascorbic acid levels decrease, so a vitamin C supplement is needed.
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol): This vitamin keeps the body’s cells healthy and slows signs of aging. It is one of the essential antioxidants and works well with Vitamin C. It also helps fight cancer, and repairs and renews tissues in the body.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: This nutrient can benefit women as it fights different mood disorders, improves eye health, reduces the risk of heart disease, and fights inflammation.
Meet Individual Nutritional Requirements for Longer Life
Every woman has a unique nutrient requirement. Some women experience hormonal changes, most especially during pregnancy or during the perimenopausal stage. Women who have physically demanding jobs (e.g., athletes and those in military positions) or those who exercise a lot need to consume more vitamins to stay active.
Those who are over the age of 65 require a lot more supplements for support in overall health and wellness, and to prolong their life.
Here are the vitamins and other nutrients required to meet the needs of older women:
- Vitamins A and E: These vitamins protect healthy cells and fight cell mutations to lower the risks of skin aging and skin cancer in women. Also, these vitamins are essential to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts common in elderly women.
- Vitamin D: Women aged 50 years and above need this as they are more at risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition where the bones get weak, and muscles begin to lose sturdiness. Also, women who are at the menopausal stage are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis due to changes in hormone levels, so getting enough Vitamin D is essential.
- Vitamin K: It makes bones strong, aids blood clots for older people, and prevents the risk of heart disease. It is low for those who are taking antibiotics for an extended period, experiencing intestinal problems like IBS (inflammatory bowel syndrome), and taking cholesterol-lowering medications. Although it may be acquired through a proper diet, a vitamin supplement is needed to get enough of Vitamin K.
- Calcium: It plays a vital role in bone and muscle strength, reduces the risk of heart disease, and controls blood pressure and cholesterol levels. For women approaching the menopausal stage, their levels of estrogen decrease, making them at risk of acquiring heart disease, osteoporosis, and other complications. Getting enough calcium is necessary during this stage.
Bring Healthy Babies Into the World
Women who want to get pregnant, or are already pregnant need to get the right amounts of essential nutrients for the proper growth and development of the growing fetus. It is crucial during the first three months of pregnancy to take vitamin supplementation to prevent congenital disabilities called neural tube defects.
Here are the other essential nutrients needed during pregnancy:
- Vitamin B12: It is vital for metabolism and helps produce red blood cells for the body to prevent anemia. In pregnant women, Vitamin B12 is essential for the development of the unborn baby and to avoid low birth weight and other health problems.
- Iron: It increases the number of red blood cells to keep the body healthy. Women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding and pregnant women are most likely to have low levels of iron, which eventually leads to anemia. The right amount of iron is needed to prevent this condition.
- Iodine: It plays an essential role during pregnancy as it aids in the healthy development of the baby’s brain.
- Folic Acid: It helps to avoid premature birth and low-weight birth. Moreover, it helps to build blood cells, DNA, and RNA for the body’s new cells.
Conclusion
Still, the best way to meet your nutritional needs is to have a healthy and balanced diet. If you think you are not getting enough vitamins, talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, most especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and for those who may have allergies to certain foods and drugs.