MUST HAVE SUPPLEMENTS FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH

Physical, mental and emotional health:

Iron: Women need 18 mg of iron every day to meet their requirements. Those on plant-based diets need about 32 mg because plant-based iron is harder to absorb. Iron deficiency symptoms include decreased cognition, fatigue, compromised immunity and pregnancy complications.¹ Taking a supplement with iron, like Vital Gold Women or Vital Iron Complex can help women to meet their requirements

Omega 3: Remember that you can support your brain health and cardiovascular health by ensuring you get enough omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in fish and certain seeds, like flaxseeds and chia seeds. Boost your omega intake with Vital Omega 3 or Vital Omega 3, 6 & 9.

B vitamins and Magnesium: For overall energy, vitality & psychological wellbeing, women need broad spectrum B vitamins and magnesium for normal energy metabolism, mental performance and daily stress resilience. Vital MagRestore can be included in your supplement regime to support your resilience and recovery from daily mental and physical stress.

Hormone balance, PMS and Menopause:

Vit B6, Calcium and Vit D: Nutrients that have been shown to support female hormone balance and that may help to manage symptoms of PMS include vitamin B6 and calcium. It is also helpful to check and correct vitamin D status in women with vitamin D deficiency.^2,3,4,5  Vital Gold Women contains an active, bioavailable source of B6. For a calcium boost, try Vital Calcium Complex along with your choice of women’s multivitamin. For vitamin D, try Vital Vitamin D3 1000IU.

Evening Primrose Oil: is another ingredient that is a source of a special omega 6 fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which has anti-inflammatory effects in the body at cellular level.⁶ GLA is a phytoestrogen that has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms⁷ and the frequency and severity of night sweats in postmenopausal women.⁸ Evening primrose oil supplementation may also improve skin health in patients suffering from acne and eczema.^9,10 Try adding Vital Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg to your supplement mix.

For women using a contraceptive pill: The contraceptive pill may deplete key nutrients, including folic acid, vitamins B2, B6, B12, vitamins C & E, and the minerals selenium, magnesium & zinc. ¹¹

Vital Gold Women is a new addition to Vital’s range of women’s supplements, designed to support women’s unique requirements. It is a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplement containing Cranberry, Evening Primrose Oil and a bioavailable, active form of Vitamin B6. Vital Gold Women contributes to the protection of cells against free radical damage and supports cardiovascular health, normal hormonal activity, red blood cell health and skin health. It also supports psychological health, nervous system function and mental performance. Vital Gold Women improves the quality of life by reducing tiredness and fatigue and assisting with the metabolism of stress hormones.

Urinary tract health:

Cranberry: It is estimated that around 50 % of South African women will have at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime and 20 – 40 % will have recurrent episodes.¹² Research indicates that cranberry plays a preventative role in the occurrence and frequency of UTIs.^13,14 Cranberry contains proanthocyanidins which have antioxidant potential that has also been linked to diverse health benefits apart from UTI prevention, including anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective and antimicrobial actions.¹⁵  Vital Cranberry is an antioxidant supplement that is protective against UTIs and oxidative stress.