Although health supplements can be taken by women of any age, they are essential for women of child bearing age and for those over 50.
The key supplements for women's health are calcium, minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids, anti-oxidants, enzymes, herbal supplements, neuronutrients and bioflavonoids.
A woman’s health is susceptible to several changes, especially during puberty, pregnancy, post-pregnancy, and menopause. These time periods require regular health monitoring as some of them may lead to the deficiency of certain essential nutrients. Taking such health supplements is a good way to supply the deficient nutrients and improve health.
There are specific women’s dietary supplements for specific vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. There are complete nutrition supplements which provide almost all the essential nutrients in a capsule, tablet, or tonic. There are age specific supplements for elderly women and for pregnant women called prenatal vitamins. There are also some that are recommended to be taken immediately after puberty.
Women’s health supplements are merely supplements and not substitutes for food. A balanced diet is a must for good health, because supplements can only fill the deficiencies. These health supplements should be taken only in the doses prescribed by a physician. An overdose of supplements can lead to other disorders. Consult a physician before the intake of supplements if you are on any other medication as some of the ingredients might interfere with the medication.
It is economical to take complete vitamin supplements instead of several individual vitamin or mineral capsules. However, there are certain health conditions that require a specific dose of minerals or vitamins — like iron in the case of anemia and vitamin B12 for certain nerve related conditions. Buy supplements manufactured by companies that comply with the drug administration regulations and use natural food sources rather than synthetic chemicals.
Dietary supplements for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are specially formulated to contain more folic acid, calcium, and iron content to cater to the needs of the mother and the baby. Prenatal vitamins must be taken only after consulting a physician.
There are several health supplement manufacturers who claim their products are beneficial for women. Often, the composition of the ingredients is imbalanced and some manufactures even use fillers that can cause allergies. It is important to do thorough research on the manufacturer, consult a physician, check the product compliance, read the label to ensure the all the essential nutrients have been provided, and read reviews about the supplements. Opting for cheap alternatives may lead to various side effects.
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