We all know that vitamins and minerals are essential to having a healthy body. Unfortunately, many people do not get the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals each day. In fact, many Americans have vitamin deficiencies, in one or more vitamin types.
But, how do you know what vitamins you are deficient in and which ones you need more of? While this answer is different from person to person, there are certain vitamins, as a woman, that you should definitely be taking.
Read on to learn about the top 4 vitamins every woman should take and why.
1. Calcium
You probably remember from your childhood your parents telling you to drink your milk because it has calcium in it. Well, they weren’t wrong! Calcium is an essential mineral for our bodies that is found in dairy products as well as other fortified foods. Typically, a woman’s body weight is a little more than one percent calcium. This should tell you how important it is to our bodies!
Calcium is found in your teeth and bones, and seeing as women are four times more susceptible to osteoporosis than men, getting enough calcium is extremely essential for bone health. Calcium also helps with cell function, avoiding blood clotting, and muscle action, so you should definitely add this supplement to your diet.
2. B Vitamins
B vitamins are known as the energizer vitamins, and having a sufficient amount of these in your diet is very important. B vitamins that are important for women: B12, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6. Typically, these vitamins are found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
If you are an active woman, you are likely burning as many as 2,000 calories per day, if not more. B vitamins help your body produce the energy that is necessary to fuel this active lifestyle, as well as every day activities. Plus, B6 and B12 can help reduce a women’s risk of heart disease.
If you are at risk of developing heart disease, it is especially important you take these vitamins on the daily. Also, if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, taking B vitamins is also extremely important, as B12 is found only in meat, fish, and dairy. Just make sure you are purchasing your B vitamins from one of the best vitamin brands to ensure quality and purity.
3. Vitamin D
Everyone knows vitamin D as the sunshine vitamin. This is actually because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be produced in our bodies when it is exposed to sunlight.
Pretty cool, right?
The problem is, many women aren’t getting enough sunlight for their bodies to produce a sufficient amount of this vitamin. Vitamin D is important because it helps us maintain healthy bones, prevent certain diseases, like osteoporosis, and some believe it can even help fight depression.
4. Vitamin K
The number one cause of death in women is heart disease. While there are many ways you can combat heart disease, such as diet and exercise, taking Vitamin K is one of the best. This is because research shows vitamin K can actually help lower your risk of cardiovascular mortality. Plus, this important nutrient can help prevent blood clotting and regulate strong bones, so it’s a very important one to add to your regimen.
As you can see, getting the right vitamins and minerals as a woman is very important. This list should be a good starting point to improving your health, but you should always talk to your doctor about your own individual needs!
What vitamins and minerals do you take for your health?
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