Dietary supplements have grown from a niche habit to a daily routine in many people’s lives. While there are some common vitamin and mineral needs, people also have personalized nutritional requirements to achieve optimal health. For example, a nursing mother may invest in high quality probiotics for her infant, while middle age men may take something to support their general prostate health. But what about the mother whose children may be older than 2 or 3 years but still require general care? Specific supplements can help an individual achieve optimal health at any age.
Peace of Body
To put things in perspective, even if you aren’t dealing with a blatant health issue, there’s a very good chance you may still need some form of dietary supplement in order to be at your best. Thirty percent of all women are deficient in one or more important vitamins and minerals. If there was no such thing as multivitamins, that number could actually be closer to 75 percent.
Antioxidants: There is a wide array of antioxidant vitamins that are beneficial for good health, but the most popular ones are vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E. The role of antioxidants is to reverse the damage that free radical molecules inflict upon cells. As research develops, we are finding that this damage is linked to a variety of different health issues, from immune dysfunction to poor vision. In addition to immunity and vision some studies show that vitamins A and E together help protect the skin from signs of aging.
Do you find that you’re getting fatigued or winded when you’re not even doing any sort of strenuous activity? You may be dealing with iron deficiency, which isn’t uncommon for women, especially as they age. Part of the reason for this being so common is because iron plays an essential role in producing red blood cells and carrying oxygen throughout the body. Another reason that women need to pay attention to their iron levels, is that blood loss from periods deplete the natural stores of iron already have in your body. If you want some added support, along with iron supplements, try eating lean red meats and dark green leafy vegetables.
Magnesium is notable because it’s the type of mineral that may not get the attention that other ones do (like calcium and potassium), but it is no less important. Magnesium has an important role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps in muscle function, heart rhythm, immune support and general energy production.
Peace of Mind
If you find yourself feeling stressed out from the struggles of juggling parenting and/or other responsibilities, your nutritional status may be to blame. Mental health and brain function can stem from certain nutritional deficiencies in some circumstances, but some supplements are now trying to tackle this issue head-on.
Calcium: This may sound like an odd place to bring up calcium, considering that most people know it for its support of bones and teeth. While those functions still hold true, you may not know that calcium may also be able to help with certain PMS symptoms. In one study, women who supplemented with calcium saw significantly lower levels of tiredness, appetite changes and depressive symptoms compared with a placebo.
Vitamin D: Ideally, you would get the bulk of this vitamin from exposure to sunlight, but that can be difficult to achieve if you live in an area with few sunny days or have to spend a lot of your times indoors. As a result, this is an important vitamin to monitor. Vitamin D plays an essential role in skeletal health and also in preventing mood disorders and maintaining a healthy hormonal balance.
Omega-3s: As mentioned before, some mood and stress issues may be rooted in the brain not receiving the proper nutritional support it needs. Omega-3s are probably the most popular option when it comes to brain support.
Not only does it help with behavioral function, but also with cognitive performance and reduced inflammation. If you’re feeling down, consider making a quick stop to your doctor’s office to see if these essential nutrient levels are low. Determining your specific nutritional needs can support your health and happiness for life.
Written by Guest Author for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.