Knowing what are the best vitamins for women to take is a challenge. Many people walk down the vitamin and supplement aisle and are overwhelmed and confused. With good reason. The number of products seem endless and after a while, it’s hard to remember what you event set out to purchase.
It turns out that as physicians we are happy to help determine which vitamins a woman needs to feel her best and find her best health. Being a woman is one of the many factors that helps determine individual vitamin needs. Other factors include age, diet, lifestyle, exercise and certain health concerns or symptoms. Figuring out the best vitamins to take for any woman really depends on the individual.
As physicians we try to help guide people about the best vitamins and supplements for their individual needs based on sound medical science, not ad hoc recommendations. Paying attention to what multivitamins for women you put in your body is essential, both in quality, ingredients and amounts of various nutrients.
We all have unique needs. For example, the vegetarian may need more iron than the person who eats a lot of red meat. Eating a lot of dietary calcium (through dairy and dark greens) can make supplementing large doses of calcium unnecessary and potentially harmful. We also can have different needs at different phases of life, especially pre and postnatally when women need extra iron, folic acid and omega 3s to support fetal brain health. Most women need to supplement vitamin D at all stages of life. The amounts may vary depending on where you live and other factors (including ethnicity and various health concerns).
Trying to sort through the endless stream of information on line and from various sources to determine, as a woman, what vitamins to take can be overwhelming and nearly impossible. However, as women doctors we have tried to clear the confusion around what vitamins are safe and useful for each individual. Shop the best vitamin patches for your individual needs can be determined by taking an online vitamin quiz and obtaining an all in one daily vitamin.
It is very important when choosing vitamins and supplements that you obtain high quality products with safe ingredients. Unfortunately, the vitamin industry is unregulated and there are many unsafe products found even in major retailers. For this reason, looking toward premium brands made under physician oversight and bearing independent verification seals (such as USP or GMP) is essential.
As female physicians we strive to help women everywhere get exactly the right vitamins to help them with their specific needs. Looking at diet, lifestyle and health concerns is important in determining which vitamins to take and in which doses. Even symptoms such as thinning hair, trouble losing weight, fatigue, migraines and gut health can be addressed with the right blend of vitamins. Taking a vitamin survey can help determine which is the right combination and amount of vitamins for each woman at a specific time of life.
Article by:
Arielle Levitan M.D.
Co-founder Vous Vitamin LLC
Author of The Vitamin Solution:Two Doctors Clear the Confusion About Vitamins and Your Health
