Are there supplements that every woman should take?

In addition to a multivitamin, many healthcare practitioners now recommend omega-3s, extra calcium and vitamin D, because it’s tough to squeeze the right amounts of these into your diet every day. They’re all linked to strong health benefits, ranging from lower risk of heart disease and cancer to improving mood. As always, seek the advice of a qualified practitioner before using any herbs, supplements or other alternatives to health.

Omega Fatty Acids

Don't the word "Fatty" stop you. Omega-3s should be sourced from either fish oil, squid oil or algae; experts recommend 1,000 mg daily. The key fatty acids in omega- 3s are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). You just want to pick a supplement with a combination of DHA and EPA —which will be indicated on the label. Some companies will also add a little bit of vitamin E or CoQ10 for additional benefits.

Calcium

Calcium is crucial for strong bones— especially for women, who are five times more likely than men to develop bone-weakening osteoporosis. Keep in mind that vitamin D aids in calcium absorption (which is why it’s often added to milk), so look for supplements that combine the two, or be sure to take Calcium supplements with vitamin D added. Most doctors recommend at least some supplementation, since a glass of milk only provides about 300 mg, and we also lose a lot in other ways.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D may help stave off a multitude of health problems such as cancer, depression and heart disease. Though foods like fatty fish, liver and eggs do contain a small amount, it’s almost impossible to get all your D from food. Our bodies make it naturally when exposed to sunlight, but thanks to weather variability and sun protection to lower skin cancer risk, that may not be happening as often as it should. There’s some disagreement among experts about whether we get enough D, so ask your doctor to check your D levels with a simple blood test before taking a pill.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. As always, seek the advice of a qualified practitioner before using any herbs, supplements or other alternatives to health.