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Are you a fan of taking health supplements for your daily vitamin intake? Do you feel that they are necessary? For me, I’m not a big fan of taking health supplements, but I do feel that they help me get through the day by making me more energized. So I take them anyway.
Ideally, getting your vitamins, nutrients and minerals through real food is the best as they can work together to enhance absorption. If you have a balanced diet of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, then you may not need to take any health supplements. Have you been eating well enough? You may think that you may have a balanced diet, but you may still be missing out on some essential vitamins.
If you have the following symptoms, then you are lacking in vitamins:
• Memory loss. This means that you may have deficiency of vitamin B12
• Poor night vision, dandruff and some bumps on the back of your arms. This means that you may lack in vitamin A
• Numbness in your hands of feet. This means that you may not have enough vitamin B
• Muscles cramps. This means you may need more magnesium, calcium or potassium
• Muscle aches, fatigue and weakness. This may mean that you are low in vitamin D
• Gray hair, mouth ulcers and fatigue. This may indicate that you have too little folate
Once you found out whether you may be having deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals, it’s a good idea to plan your diet accordingly to boost up what your body is lacking.
The chart below indicates the types of food you can eat to get those vitamins and minerals.
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For certain groups of women, their daily food intake for the vitamins and minerals they need may never be enough despite their efforts. In this case, having supplements alongside with a healthy diet will be the best choice.
If you fall under the following categories, then seeking a health professional to advise you on the types of vitamin and mineral supplements to take to improve your health will be your best bet.
• Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and women trying to conceive may need more vitamin B6 and B12. They will also need more folic acid.
• Women with limited exposure to sunlight may need more vitamin D.
• Women on a strict vegan diet or vegetarians may need more vitamin B12.
• Women with restrictive diets due to food allergies or eating disorders may need more vitamins.
Although there are many types of health supplements available in leading pharmacies worldwide, the most recommended supplements are the multivitamins, omega 3s, vitamin D and calcium.
As for myself, I take multivitamins and vitamin Cs. I feel they are good enough to keep me strong and healthy. Do you rely health supplements to keep you healthy? Or if not, what sort of diet plan do you follow to stay healthy?
References:
http://www.healthline.com/health/vitamins-for-women#Overview1
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/vitamins-and-nutrients-for-women
http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/natural-remedies/vitamins-women-best-multivitamins
http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/natural-remedies/100-best-supplements-for-women
