People need vitamins for proper growth and development. Some vitamins are required for certain body parts to function correctly. At different stages in a woman's life, she may need more or less of certain vitamins. During pregnancy, a woman may have a higher demand for certain vitamins than usual, and the same applies when she enters menopause.
Multivitamins and Prenatal Vitamins
A multivitamin is a good way to ensure you are getting all the nutrients necessary for your health and development. Multivitamins contain a mixture of both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins are vitamin C and all of the B vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E and K. It is best to take a supplement that contains both vitamins and minerals, as some vitamins require certain minerals for absorption. These multivitamins are usually labeled as "complete." Certain multivitamins are formulated specifically for women and some are even specific to certain age groups. Prenatal vitamins are often given to pregnant women and those trying to conceive. They usually contain folic acid and more iron than a regular multivitamin.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is one of the many B vitamins, and is called folate in its natural form. The vitamin is mostly found in green leafy vegetables. Folic acid is absolutely vital for women of reproductive age. It can prevent birth defects such as spinal bifida and anencephaly, a condition that can cause infant death or stillbirth. A woman who is pregnant or wishes to concieve should take 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid per day. If you are pregnant, consult your obstetrician regarding prenatal vitamins.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin that must be replaced in the body regularly. Vitamin C lowers your risk of certain cancers, and it also helps protect you from cataracts. Vitamin C is an antioxidant used to help absorb iron. Women who have iron deficiency anemia from heavy menstrual cycles may need to take iron supplements along with vitamin C to restore their iron levels and reverse the anemia. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C for women is 75 mg. If you are a smoker you must increase your vitamin C consumption by 35 mg.
Vitamin D
As a woman reaches menopause, her risk of developing osteoporosis increases because of a decrease in estrogen, which causes a loss of bone density. When this occurs, she will lose bone quickly, and her body will not replace it as fast as it should. One of the only ways to prevent osteoporosis is by increasing your consumption of calcium. Vitamin D helps produce a hormone called calcitrol, which directly aids in calcium absorption. Take vitamin D along with calcium. The recommended dosage of vitamin D is 600 IU.
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