Women’s health is an important topic—one that is often overlooked, especially by younger people. Supplementation is crucial to keeping the body healthy and functioning properly. Busy lives and a lack of nutritious meal choices can easily deprive a woman of many of the vitamins and minerals needed to be healthy. Besides taking a daily multivitamin, women can also choose to take a mixture of certain vitamins, based on their specific needs.
Folic Acid
Folic acid acts by helping the body produce and maintain new cells. In particular, red blood cell formation is dependent upon adequate levels of this vitamin. Folate may also help cells resist changes in their DNA associated with the development of cancer. Studies have shown that beginning folic acid supplementation before conception significantly reduces the incidence of birth defects known as neural tube defects (malformations of the spine and brain) such as spina bifida and anencephaly. In humans, folic acid is necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids and the formation of heme, the pigmented, iron-carrying component of the hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. Vitamin D, also called calciferol, is a vitamin that dissolves in the body’s fat. Vitamin D is found in food, but also can be made in your body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. There are several different forms of vitamin D. The major biologic function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Taking Vitamin D will help maintain strong bones and help protect against Osteoporosis later in life.
Calcium
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the human body, has several important functions. More than 99% of total body calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, where it functions to support bodily structure. The remaining 1% is found throughout the body in blood, muscle and the fluid between cells. Calcium is needed for muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and enzymes and sending messages through the nervous system. A constant level of calcium is maintained in body fluid and tissues so that these vital body processes function efficiently. Taking Calcium will help build strong bones and help prevent osteoporosis later in life.
Magnesium
Magnesium assists the body in producing and transferring energy, and helps to maintain heart, bone, muscle and circulatory system health. Magnesium assists the body in producing and transferring energy, and helps to maintain heart, bone, muscle and circulatory system health.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an antioxidant vitamin, helping to prevent oxidation of water-soluble molecules that may create free radicals, which may generate cellular injury and disease. Collagen, and thus vitamin C, is needed to give support and shape to the body, to help wounds heal and to maintain healthy blood vessels. Ascorbic acid also helps thyroid hormone production, and it aids in cholesterol metabolism, increasing its elimination and thereby assisting in lowering blood cholesterol. It helps heal fractures, bruises, pinpoint hemorrhages, bleeding gums and reduces liability to infection.
