• Home
  • What Are The Best Vitamins For Women’s Health?

What Are The Best Vitamins For Women’s Health?

 

Supplements continue to be a popular option among women of all ages. In fact, the 2017 Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements released by The Council for Responsible Nutrition found that 79% of adult women take supplements.

Here is the breakdown of the top supplements among women:

  • Multivitamins – 73%
  • Vitamin D – 39%
  • Calcium – 31%
  • Vitamin C – 29%
  • Vitamin B Complex – 26%
 

Not surprising, multivitamins are the most popular. Women deal with a lot each day, so knowing you’re not leaving any gaps in your nutrition can help to bring peace of mind.

The survey also found that supplement users may benefit in other ways, including being more likely to take part in the following:

  • Eating a balanced diet
  • Regular doctor visits
  • A good night’s sleep
  • Not smoking or using tobacco products
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Regular exercise
 

Supplements would appear to come with a change of mindset related to personal health and fitness goals. While it is up to each person to craft a lifestyle that makes time for healthy eating and exercise, supplements may help to get you on the right path.

With the growing popularity of supplements, you may wonder what products are right for you? There are many options available, but for simplicity's sake, let’s break down some of the most popular women’s supplements according to the survey and explain some of their potential benefits.

NHC’s Pick For The Best Women’s Supplements

 

When shopping for women’s supplements, make sure always to shop from a trusted brand.

If you’re big into the whole food lifestyle and want to know that every part of the plant is making it into your supplement, then check out New Chapter. The New Chapter brand formulates supplements a variety of women’s needs, all while starting with a whole food base.

Metagenics take a different approach to supplements, but they are no less “real.” Metagenics is known as a professional brand that emphasizes a scientific approach to formulating precise dosages backed by years of clinical research and study.

Both brands can be found on NHC.com because they meet our strict internal guidelines for quality, potency, and purity. When shopping, check out both brands and see which ones fit your approach to nutrition and wellness.

Multivitamins

According to an interview with Duffy MacKay, a naturopathic doctor and vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, which was featured in BetterNutrition magazine, the use of multivitamins is associated with a healthy appetite, helping to protect healthy DNA during aging, maintaining memory and alertness, the growth of healthy cells, cardiovascular health, and healthy fetal development among pregnant women.

It is important to recognize that not all multivitamins contain the same dosage levels or even the same nutrients. For example, some women need more or less iron depending on a variety of factors. Likewise, pregnant women may need to add folic acid to their regular multivitamin. So double check the nutrition label to find what product meets your needs.

Vitamin D

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), vitamin D is associated with calcium absorption, the mineralization of healthy bones, the modulation of cell growth, immune system health, and the inflammation response.

According to research in the NIH database, vitamin D is important for women with darker skin, because the skin reacts with ultraviolet light to produce vitamin D in the body naturally; and young women who are pregnant also use more vitamin D. The research also links vitamin D with brain health, a healthy weight, and heart health.

Calcium

Calcium works with vitamin D to support healthy bones, but how much calcium do you actually need? According to Harvard Medical School, women over the age of 50 are at a greater risk of breaks and fractures resulting from brittle bones. The information provided on the site suggests that 500-700 mg of calcium is ideal when combined with up to 1,000 mcg of vitamin D. Taking too much calcium can have negative health effects, however; but taking up to 1,200 mg of calcium a day is likely okay after consulting with your doctor.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and essential nutrient for hundreds of biological processes in the body. The American Optometric Association states that women who get 75 mg of vitamin C each day support the health of their eyes, symptoms associated with cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration; however, the clinical research associated with these is still ongoing.

Additionally, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, states that vitamin C supports heart health, collagen production, the immune system, and the growth of new skin cells.

Vitamin B Complex

A multivitamin will typically contain all eight B vitamins, but if you only want the B vitamins then a vitamin B complex is right for you.

All B vitamins act as a “fuel” that helps to either start or finish a cellular process. Potential benefits of taking a vitamin B complex may include support for a healthy mood, a healthy response to PMS symptoms, brain healthy, a healthy heart, a healthy stress response, the appearance of skin and muscle tone, and a healthy metabolism.

With so many women taking supplements, you may have wondered if it’s right for you. Hopefully this information helps you to get your foot in the door before speaking with your doctor about adding a New Chapter or Metagenics supplement to your daily regimen.