5 Supplements Every Woman Should Be Taking for Optimal Health
Statistically speaking, women are less likely to seek medical care than their male counterparts, not because they’re not concerned about their health, but because we are quick to brush off health concerns and symptoms as anxiety or just in our minds. Add to that the stress of motherhood, a high-power career, student workloads, and all the other burdens women carry, and avoiding medical care can sometimes be due to lack of time, and it’s easy to put it on the back burner. While you should 100% take control of your health and make regular doctor’s appointments and routine physicals a priority, there are other things you can do to keep yourself in optimal health. In addition to healthy eating, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep, there are supplements that every woman should include to look and feel her best.
Calcium Supplements
We grow up learning about the benefits of calcium; chances are you had a well-meaning mother or grandmother who reminded you to finish your glass of milk before getting up from the breakfast or dinner table. Calcium is an essential mineral in dairy products and fortified foods that all women need. Women over 30 especially need calcium supplements because we lose bone mass and strength as we age. Calcium supplementation is essential if you are pre- or postmenopausal, as less estrogen accelerates bone loss.
Fish Oil Supplements
While everyone can benefit from the benefits of fish oil, this is one supplement women should be taking regularly. Fish oil supplements are heart-healthy, and the fats in fish oils aren’t made naturally by our bodies. With heart disease being the number one cause of death in women, protecting your ticker through a regular fish oil supplement is key. While the flavor can be off-putting, plenty of flavored supplements or capsules are tasteless. Omega-3’s are important for your blood vessel health and triglyceride levels which can lower your risk of heart disease. Fish oil also reduces inflammation and can help with brain health too.
Folate Supplements
If you’re a mother, you likely became familiar with folate and folic acid when you were trying to conceive or after you started taking prenatal vitamins, but this water-soluble B vitamin is essential at all stages of womanhood. While you can consume folate through a diet from food sources like spinach or cantaloupe, most women aren’t eating enough folate-rich foods to get their recommended amounts. Not only does folate help us and create DNA for proper cell function, but it’s also essential for beautiful skin and hair. Folate is especially important during childbearing years, but all women can benefit from this one.
B-Complex Supplements
Ask most women what they wish they had more of, and they’ll likely answer time or energy. B complex supplements are known as being the best for energy. If you frequently feel fatigued, chances are you’re deficient in B vitamins. The B vitamin family includes thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and cobalamin. You may already be familiar with biotin for its beauty benefits, but all B vitamins are helpful to women for producing energy, lowering your risk of heart disease, and potentially reducing PMS symptoms.
CoQ10 Supplements
While the Fountain of Youth is something of lore, many women opt for medical interventions like Botox and fillers to preserve a youthful appearance as they age. Whether you age with grace or seek the assistance of a medical spa is up to you, but coenzyme Q10 can help you age gracefully. This important supplement is a strong antioxidant that helps produce energy in your cells, protecting against premature aging. It also helps the cells of your blood vessels, which can protect against heart disease. All women can benefit from CoQ10 supplementation no matter their age, especially women with a family history of cardiovascular disease or those who lead a vegetarian or vegan diet, as the best source of CoQ10 are meats and fish.
Adding supplements to your list of healthy habits is something everyone can benefit from, but as most women are busy and burning the candle at both ends, they become even more essential. The above mentioned supplements are a great foundation for a supplement regimen that will keep you in optimal health and let you enjoy all that life has to offer. Here’s to strong women!
