None of us will need to be convinced that taking a multivitamin regularly will be beneficial for our health. For women, a women’s multivitamin will feature specific constituents that are designed to cater most effectively to a woman’s physiology.
The first important point to consider here is that any product branded as a ‘multivitamin for women’ is designed for women in the childbearing years, and will include nutrients in amounts identified as being required for women from 18 to 50, and most notably including more iron and folic acid to help prevent birth defects in women capable of becoming pregnant. Women who are beyond that age group should consider YesWellness for a diet supplement for older women.
So while we are all in agreement that taking a vitamin is good for us, let’s take a deeper look at the specific health benefits of the individual constituents in a women’s multivitamin. We won’t cover EVERY single one of them that’s found in your quality multivitamin, but we will review the leading ones, grouping them into an A and B group given perceived significance for the general overall health of women of any age.
Vitamins / Nutrients and Their Exact Benefits
Group A
Selenium – Selenium is essential with way it promotes health cognitive (thought) function and serves as one of the most powerful antioxidants against disease, premature aging, and general body debilitation. It is also important for thyroid and immune system function, and is proven to be effective in preventing cancer, and particularly for 2 types of the disease that affect women quite predominantly – breast and colorectal cancer.
Thiamine / Vitamin B1 – Thiamine plays an integral role in metabolic reactions in the body. Your body needs it to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is required for every cell of the body in the production of energy. Thiamine is also sometimes referred to as the “anti-stress” vitamin with the fact it helps strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s ability to deal with stressful conditions.
Magnesium – Magnesium is a wonderful mineral, and both women and men really need optimal levels of it in the body. It helps increase energy, calms nerves and anxiety (a BIG plus for any woman!), helps digestion, relieves muscle spasms and aches, prevents headaches, and – like calcium – guards against osteoporosis. See what we mean? It’s a really wonderful mineral.
Riboflavin / Vitamin B2 – First and foremost, riboflavin is a major antioxidant that limits the effect of free radicals, and it also helps to break down protein, carbohydrates, and fats to produce energy. It also serves to prevent iron deficiency and the development of anemia, which is very common for women. It also keeps the mucous membranes in the mouth and bowels healthy, regulates thyroid activity, and helps wounds heal more quickly.
Calcium – Your body needs calcium to build and maintain strong bones, and your heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly. In regards to the first part there, regular calcium supplementation is very essential for women to prevent the onset of osteoporosis (brittle bones) as we age. This is common knowledge, but another benefit of calcium that may be more surprising is the fact it can help you keep a more healthy body weight. It promotes a better functioning metabolism. In addition, it can also lessen the severity of your PMS symptom
Niacin: Vitamin B3 – Niacin (also called Niacinamide) is important for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system and an efficiently functioning metabolism with optimally balanced cholesterol levels in the blood. Niacin also promotes healthy brain function, healthy skin formation and growth, and can also help prevent the development of diabetes.
Folate – Folate (also called folic acid) is most notably beneficial for women in the fact that is very effective in preventing birth defects. More generally, it is beneficial for cell maintenance and repair, efficient production of red blood cells, promoting a positive mental state and mood (and addressing depression and anxiety), and – last but not least – helping you have a healthy functioning heart.
Group B
Biotin / Vitamin B7 – Biotin is called the ‘beauty vitamin’, and for good reason. It’s essential for maintaining the health of our hair, nails and skin. Perhaps more importantly to your physiology though, Biotin functions as a coenzyme needed for the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids and glucose. When you eat foods that are sources of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, biotin facilitates the conversion and use of these macronutrients.
Chromium – Chromium is required by the body for proper protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolism, and for upping your insulin sensitivity. Supplemental chromium can also increase your muscle mass, which can be very beneficial for older women who are becoming alarmingly weak or frail. It also helps to control blood sugar and promotes better weight loss by altering carbohydrate metabolism.
Pantothenic Acid / Vitamin B5 – Pantothenic acid helps convert food into energy and it also helps the body use proteins and fats. It is also beneficial for optimal function of the immune, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. It also serves lesser functions in balancing cholesterol levels and reducing your receptiveness to stress influences.
Lycopene – Lycopene is also a very powerful antioxidant that prevents the onset of many diseases, including cancer. It also prevents heart disease by stopping LDL cholesterol from being oxidized by free radicals, and it then cannot be deposited in the plaques which narrow and harden the arteries. It also helps to prevent diabetes and macular degeneration (an eye condition that can lead to blindness), keeps skin healthy and young looking, and can also aid in infertility treatments for both women and men.
Women of all age should choose a high quality multivitamin from a reputable manufacturer and take it regularly to experience all of the health benefits listed above, plus many more from other valuable constituents we didn’t cover in the interest of keeping this article short and readable. And of course, vitamin supplementation should be a part of a whole healthy living approach that includes a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, and plenty of sleep.