Supplements are intended to add any nutritional essentials that may be absent due to an unbalanced diet or improper absorption. According to the Mayo Clinic, supplements are not meant to replace a healthy diet. For women, who generally do not eat as much as men, supplements are a good idea. Finding a multivitamin with the recommended daily allowances of all the important vitamins is often easier than taking several vitamins with few values. The following vitamins can be taken alone or as a part of a multivitamin or prenatal supplement.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones. According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin D may have a role in prevention of autoimmune diseases and certain cancers. This vitamin helps with the absorption of calcium, which may be lacking in women 50 and older. Look for a multivitamin containing 400 IUs. For pregnant women, vitamin D helps deliver the calcium needed to develop baby's bone, brain, nervous system and organs, according to the Mayo Clinic. A prenatal vitamin should contain adequate amounts of vitamin D---at least 200 IUs.
Beta Carotene
When skimming the content list of a multivitamin, if vitamin A is not on the label, you may see beta carotene. This vitamin works like vitamin A, as the body converts the beta carotene to vitamin A. According to the Mayo Clinic, the carotenes possess antioxidant properties. A vitamin A deficiency leads to abnormal bone development and reproductive disorders and can even lead to death.
Folic Acid
According to the Mayo Clinic, lack of folic acid can lead to anemia. Certain conditions can increase your need for folic acid, like alcoholism, diarrhea, fever, illness, hemodialysis, intestinal diseases, liver disease and stress. Folic acid is present in various foods, including vegetables, potatoes, fruits and meats. It is especially important for pregnant women, as it helps reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate. Folic acid may also help reduce risk of heart disease and colon cancer,according to Women Today.
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