Purchasing vitamins and supplements can be confusing. There are formulas geared toward children, teens, pregnant and nursing women, seniors and everyone in between. How is a woman supposed to choose the right one?
Foundational Fact: Names Mean Nothing
For the most part, supplements geared toward specific age groups or other subsets of the population are no better than those with generic directives. The key for finding the vitamins you need to supplement your diet and lifestyle is to read your labels, and see what the formula contains. It’s what on the inside that counts, right?
Important Ingredients
For women of any age, there is a short list of key nutrients you need in your daily diet. Because many of us do not eat the foods we should in a high enough frequency to supply these substances, taking a daily multivitamin is the next best thing. Here are the ingredients you should look for in your vitamins, whether you’re seventeen or seventy:
- Antioxidants (Vitamins A, C and E) – These are the vitamins that keep your eyesight healthy and strong, prevent sun and free radical damage to your body, and give your hair and skin the healthy glow most women want.
- Calcium and Vitamin D – Building strong bones may be the work of calcium, but without vitamin D the body cannot properly absorb this mineral. Calcium may need to be purchased separately, as multivitamins that include calcium are rare because of the fact that calcium and magnesium can make pills too large to swallow comfortably.
- B Vitamins – B vitamins provide a number of benefits, including strengthening of hair, skin and nails, improving energy levels and maintaining healthy appetite and weight.
Who to Ask for Help
Your pharmacist or natural foods retailer has a wealth of information to share with you about the supplements that can help you live your best life. Sandy area women can consult local retailer Shirlyn’s Natural Foods for more information on which vitamins and supplements that are right for them. There’s no reason to spend hours walking the aisles of your local pharmacy. Take control of your health and make the informed decision. Choose the right supplement for you, and start working toward a healthier life!
