Having a complete and healthy diet is very important in your everyday life, but with a busy life and hectic schedule it can be very difficult to ensure you are getting all of the vitamins and minerals you need. This is where a women’s vitamin can come in handy to cover all of the bases when you may not get enough in your diet. Then once you get into the vitamin aisle there is a barrier of knowing exactly what to look for. With hundreds of white bottles to choose for it can be confusing. You can use this as a guide to knowing just what to look for when it comes to your women’s multivitamin.
Folic Acid
One of the largest differences in male and female vitamins is the amount of folic acid. Folic acid is a b vitamin that has many functions in the body. It is specifically important for women of childbearing age, as it prevents a fetus from developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Even if you are not planning to become pregnant it is important to have for that just in case moment. Folic acid also plays a role in preventing anemia and DNA creation and repair, so it has many functions even if you are not pregnant. While folic acid can be found in your normal foods such as grains and certain veggies, having it in your multivitamin is very important.
Whole Foods
Your vitamins may have all of the necessary vitamins and minerals, but where are they actually coming from? One common mistake that people a often make is purchasing vitamins that are made in a lab. Vitamins like these are poorly digested by the body, so you are not actually getting the amount that is listed on the bottle. You are essentially just passing your expensive vitamins through your body. When getting a vitamin, you want to purchase one that is sourced from whole foods. This way you will be getting an all-natural source that your body can actually absorb and benefit from.
Iron That is Absorbable
As a woman you definitely need iron in your diet, but it can sometimes be difficult to get it into your diet, especially if you are a vegan or vegetarian. Supplementation is not as straight forward as it seems either. Synthetic iron is very difficult for your body to digest and can even result in common side effects like constipation. You will want your vitamin to have a digestible and absorbable form of iron. The best source for this is a raw whole food source like curry leaves.
Calcium
Calcium is also an important mineral for women, especially post-menopausal women. After menopause, your estrogen hormone levels decrease which can cause various health problems. One of the common health issues that this causes is bone weakening which can lead to fractures in places such as the wrists. To protect the bones during this time it is vital to get an adequate amount of calcium. It is wise to look for a women’s vitamin with enough calcium.
A women’s vitamin is not one size fits all. You should take the time to look at the ingredients, where they are sourced, and how much there is in each serving. Remember that women are constantly changing throughout the lifespan so your vitamin and mineral needs will change. It is also always a good idea to talk with your doctor or healthcare provider to see if a certain vitamin is a good fit for you and what you may need to look out for. When in doubt choose a vitamin that is from whole food sources and has adequate levels of folic acid and calcium.