Regardless of how well you eat, how much you exercise, or how good your skin routine is, it’s important that your body is getting the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients. According to the Center for Disease Control, vitamins are an essential part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While everyone benefits from taking daily vitamins, men and women have different needs when it comes to supplements. With all the options at your local health food store, it can be difficult to know which vitamins are best for you. To remedy that, we’ve compiled a list of all the best vitamins women should add to their daily routine.
When shopping for vitamins, look for supplements that are:
- Organic and Non-GMO
- Allergen-free
- Gluten-free
- Free of heavy metals, chemicals, or artificial coloring
Vitamins are not regulated by the FDA, so it’s important to look for brands with proper certifications, such as NSF International, The Dietary Supplement Verification Program, or Good Manufacturing Practice.
Vitamins for Women
Calcium
Calcium is an essential vitamin that you can take OTC – but it’s also found in milk and other dairy products, green leafy vegetables, fortified breads and more. It is a key component in our bones and teeth, which is why it is so important to ensure you’re getting the right amount in order to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Women are more likely than men to get osteoporosis, which is why putting emphasis on your bone health is crucial.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D promotes calcium and phosphate absorption in the body. Low vitamin D levels can lead to bone deformities and pain. Incorporating sunlight, fatty fish, or a Vitamin D supplement into your daily life helps keep your bones, teeth, and muscles healthy.
Fish Oil
Many types of fish contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that aren’t produced in our bodies naturally. This supplement, whether in pill form or food, is important for maintaining heart and blood health. These fats are also known to promote healthy joints, reduce inflammation, and increase brain function.
Folate
This essential B-vitamin is found in dark leafy vegetables (especially spinach), meat, eggs, seeds, fruit, and more. Folate works with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C to help the body create new proteins. Folate is involved in the production of blood cells and DNA. In periods of rapid growth, like pregnancy, folate is especially important. So load up on Folate!
Vitamin B
There are many different types of vitamin B supplements that you should incorporate into your diet. They are important in maintaining energy levels, increasing cognitive brain function, fighting infections, and supporting cell health.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful, naturally-occurring antioxidant that helps grow and maintain our cells. As you get older, the levels of CoQ10 in your body decrease. You can find this antioxidant in small amounts in meat, fish, spinach, oranges and strawberries, but taking it as a supplement may help slow diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart conditions.