Vitamins are an excellent way to provide the body with all the essential vitamins and minerals. It can be difficult to obtain all the recommended nutrients from diet alone. Women have additional health needs that can be met by daily supplementation. Patients should always consult with their physician prior to taking any vitamins as some supplements may cause interactions with certain medications that can be dangerous.
Multivitamin
Most women can benefit from the use of a daily multivitamin. The dosage on the label should include close to or the full 100 percent for each nutrient listed. These vitamins contain all the necessary fat and water-soluble vitamins and minerals required by the body to maintain optimal health. Many multivitamins are marketed to target a specific demographic, such as women of childbearing age or those over the age of 50.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D are important to women for the building and maintenance of strong bones and teeth and strengthening of the immune system. The body requires vitamin D for successful absorption of calcium; both of these vitamins should be taken together. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended calcium dosage for a woman aged 19 to 50 is 1,000mg per day and for women over the age of 50 is 1,200mg daily. The adequate intake of vitamin D for women ages 19 to 50 is 200 IU and for women over the age of 50 is 400 IU, reports the NIH.
Folate
Folate, or folic acid, is important for women to help protect the body's DNA, aid in blood cell formation, and help prevent spina bifida. Spina bifida is a congenital malformation in which the spinal column does not fuse correctly in utero. Women of childbearing age should take 400mcg a day of folic acid, reports the NIH. Many multivitamins made specifically for women will already contain folic acid. Additionally, many food sources are enriched with folate.
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