As much as we try, we can’t always munch on loaded kale salads or eat the recommended servings of fruits to get all the nutrients we need. Thankfully, that’s where taking vitamins come in.
“Women don’t realize how critical some of the key micronutrients are for your overall health,” says Dr. Taz Bhatia. “They play such a strong role in the course of all sorts of diseases — from autoimmune disease to cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. They can even help increase energy and manage stress.”
Although it’s important to try to get vitamins from food, if you’re falling short, supplements can help make up for that deficiency — so here are five vitamins that every woman should take.
Vitamin B12
Your ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food decreases over time,which makes this one an essential vitamin. Not only does it help fight fatigue, but it also “helps the body convert the food you eat into glucose, which gives you energy,” says Bhatia.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is another B vitamin that is especially important for women. “If you are a woman that is pregnant or planning to get pregnant soon, the one vitamin supplement that is actually a must is folic acid,” says Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe. “This B-vitamin is essential before and during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of certain neurological problems such as neural tube defects.”
Vitamin D
Most women tend to be vitamin D deficient, which can lead to various health concerns. “Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system, manages your body weight, and reduces your risk of illnesses and diseases including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer,” says Bhatia.
Magnesium
You might be surprised to find that magnesium supplementation can help issues such as an ongoing sleep disorder, PMS, or constipation. “Low magnesium levels affect detoxification, the microbiome, and even the interplay between methylation and how the microbiome is balanced,” says Bhatia. “Methylation is a detoxification pathway critical to our health.”
Vitamin K
Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women, and research shows that increasing your intake of vitamin K helps to lower your risk of cardiovascular mortality. The nutrient also helps to build strong bones and regulates blood clotting.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
