| "body"> | | | | vitamins, as your body requires even more |
| Whether you're trying to have a baby, already | | | | nutrients to grow a healthy baby--specifically folic |
| pregnant, going through menopause or worried | | | | acid. Folic acid, or folate, is required not only for |
| about osteoporosis, it's worthwhile for you as a | | | | healthy tissue growth and red cell formation, but |
| woman to consider the importance taking a | | | | also to prevent birth defects, especially in early |
| multivitamin to create and maintain optimal health. | | | | pregnancy. Many women today don't get enough |
| But why would you want to take a supplement if | | | | folic acid from their diet, and taking a multivitamin |
| you can get all your nutrients from your diet? | | | | with enough folic acid (400 micrograms) is |
| Nutritionists say it is possible--and preferred--to | | | | recommended by most doctors. |
| get all your nutrients from the food you consume. | | | | Another important mineral for women is calcium. |
| And in a perfect world, this would be true for | | | | Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth and |
| everybody. | | | | to prevent osteoporosis later on in life, a condition |
| But it's not a perfect world. Today's world finds | | | | that affects many postmenopausal women. Many |
| people in fast-paced, hectic and stressed lifestyles. | | | | women report not having enough dairy on a |
| It has become harder for people to eat healthy, | | | | regular basis because of either allergies (lactose |
| nutritionally balanced meals, and even more so to | | | | intolerance) or dietary restrictions. While calcium |
| get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs | | | | can be found in other foods such as salmon, |
| to function properly every day. | | | | green leafy vegetables and soy, it's still difficult to |
| This is especially true for women, who are often | | | | get enough through food alone, which is why a |
| trying to juggle family, career, homeschooling, | | | | multivitamin containing calcium is so beneficial. |
| education, other relationships, housework and | | | | Other important vitamins and minerals for all |
| more. In order to achieve good health and to | | | | women include vitamin K, for blood clotting; |
| prevent stress, fatigue, infections and disease, | | | | vitamin C, for tissue growth and repair as well as |
| women need to ensure they are getting all the | | | | adrenal function; and iron, for healthy cells and |
| nutrients they require. Yet for most women in | | | | muscles. Another recommendation is the vitamin |
| most societies, a diet alone just won't cut it. This | | | | B complex, which is great for regulating certain |
| is why taking a multivitamin or a combination of | | | | bodily functions as well as reducing stress. |
| the most important vitamins and minerals is so | | | | While you can certainly take all of these vitamins |
| beneficial for most women. | | | | and minerals on their own, it's much more |
| A multivitamin will ensure you're getting all the | | | | convenient for women to take a multivitamin |
| recommended daily dosages of vitamins and | | | | containing all the necessary nutrients in one little |
| minerals that are missing from your diet. While a | | | | package. Make sure you do your research when |
| general multivitamin is fine, you can actually find | | | | considering a multivitamin, as not all are created |
| multivitamins specifically tailored to women's needs | | | | equal. Quality varies, for one thing, as does the |
| at different stages in their life, such as pregnancy | | | | amounts of each vitamin and mineral. Further, |
| and the postmenopausal stage. | | | | make sure you select a multivitamin that is best |
| One particular time for all women to take a | | | | suited to your needs and stage in life. Once you |
| multivitamin is right before and during pregnancy. | | | | do, you are on your way to a healthier and |
| Even if you are confident in your healthy eating | | | | stronger you. |
| habits, it's still recommended to take prenatal | | | | |