Essential Vitamins for Women

When it comes to vitamins, less can definitely be more. Our bodies can only absorb so much, and if we take too much of a vitamin, the excess amount is passed in the urine and you’ll literally be flushing money down the toilet. Some vitamins such as vitamin A can be toxic if they are taken in too high a dose. That’s one of the reasons why people need to be careful when they take a megavitamin.

There’s some debate over what vitamin and mineral supplements we should take and how much. However, everyone can agree on the fab five vitamins and minerals that should be a part of almost every woman’s diet:

Calcium – keeps bones and teeth strong and prevents bone breaks. Muscles, blood vessels, and our nervous system also need calcium to stay healthy. A supplement is often necessary because it can be difficult to get the recommended 1000 mg a day from yoghurt, milk, and cheese.

Vitamin A – this powerful antioxidant boosts the immune system, helps to keep eyes healthy, slows down skin aging, and helps to ward off heart disease. Don’t be tempted to take too much though because Vitamin A can be toxic in high doses.

Vitamin B – of the eight B vitamins, B9 folic acid is the most important vitamin for younger women. This wonder vitamin helps to build red blood cells and guards against cancer and birth defects. Any woman who has even a remote chance of becoming pregnant should be taking folic acid.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is believed to boost the immune system, prevent heart disease, and prevent winkles and eye disease. It may also be a cold fighter.

Vitamin D – also known as the “wonder drug.” We normally get enough Vitamin D from the sun but sunblock and staying out of the sun means that a lot of women need to take a supplement or eat a large carrot or a cup of cantaloupe a day. Vitamin D could cut the chance of developing breast cancer by 50% and may also provide protection from ovarian cancer and diabetes. It also aids in the absorption of calcium.

If you take nothing else, make sure that you take a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, and also potassium, zinc, and iodine. Split vitamins in two and take half in the morning and half in the evening to ensure that you’re absorbing as much as possible.

For more information about the vitamins and supplements that should be part of your diet, visit Medicine Shoppe Crowfoot in Calgary.

Written by Randy Howden. Visit me on Google+