Women, as against men, have unique health concerns and can benefit from taking supplements that are specific to their needs.
By taking natural supplements to promote women’s health, it’s possible to support strong bones, hormone balance, and heart health.
Supplements make up one part of a woman’s lifestyle that includes exercise and a healthy diet.
#1. CoQ10.
Apart from a good diet of fresh natural foods one of the recommended supplements for women is CoQ10.
Here are 9 Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
This is a component of ATP, which is responsible for energy production in the body.
This supplement is not generally marketed for women but is especially important for women who are in their mid-50s. At this age, energy levels can be decreasing, but a natural boost can help to improve health and energy levels.
Get a full dose of information on the Healing Benefits of CoQ10 HERE.
# 2. Chia seeds.
These are also a great supplement for women to take on a daily basis. I have them for breakfast every morning and always throw some into my baking. Why not try my delicious Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding.
These little seeds pack a huge protein punch (20%), are rich in Omega 3 ALA (20% – which is 8 times more than salmon), high in fibre (37%) and loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, calcium, iron and potassium and are gluten free as well. No wonder they are called a superfood (not that I agree with this form of terminology for any food).
It doesn’t matter what age you happen to be, chia seeds can help women to maintain a healthy weight and body image.
With aging, the body’s metabolism starts to slow down. Chia seeds are such a power-packed source of essential elements that go towards building good health so you really should be adding them to your diet.
Nutritionists recommend digesting one tablespoon (15g) a day and because they are high in fibre make sure you drink plenty of water.
Adding chia seeds to foods is a great way to either maintain overall health or to improve lipid levels, glycaemic control, or encourage weight loss. Chia seeds can be added to most foods, sprinkled over salads, and added to smoothies for an easy dietary addition.
They are especially beneficial for women who have high blood sugar levels and are concerned about developing diabetes. These powerful seeds make achieving a healthy weight, blood sugar, and lipid levels much easier.
Click Here to find out lots more about the benefits of eating chia seeds.
# 3. Curcumin.
Another consideration for women is taking tumeric for cognitive health.
There are multiple supplements available that are marketed for mental health, especially with aging, but many of these supplements are not effective.
Turmeric has a high content of curcuminoids, which are powerful antioxidants. They work to reduce oxidative stress on the entire body, but have been shown to have an especially beneficial effect on mental health and well-being.
Women who are concerned about cognitive decline should consider making tumeric a daily supplement.
If diseases like Alzheimer’s or dementia run in your family’s health history, tumeric can be a preventative measure in these cases.
Tumeric (curcumin) is not a typical supplement for most people, but should be considered for anyone concerned about mental decline.
One of the biggest health concerns for women today is bone health.
# 4. Osteoporosis is a common condition, especially in older women.
And also so for anyone who has had children; and it can be easy to develop this condition without even realizing it.
Since osteoporosis is not reversible, preventative care is the best method of treatment.
Apart from making sure you follow a moderate exercise program of at least three to four days per week taking a calcium supplement containing vitamin D3 and magnesium is an excellent choice. This is a good idea for women at any age, but especially women who are 50 or older.
Maintaining bone strength is an important part of ageing and helping to maintain an active lifestyle.
That’s why Strength Training is SO Important as You Start Ageing.
A comment about about taking multivitamin pills:
Many women I know (men too) consider that taking a multivitamin each day is necessary as part of their overall health program. It’s very easy to miss out on essential nutrients, especially micro-nutrients which are only needed in small quantities if your diet is lacking or you have just been through a recent illness.
But here’s one thing the supplement marketers would not like you to believe and that is the taking a multivitamin every day may not necessarily be needed by your body. It will be all dependent on you your diet and general state of health.
When taking any supplements it is best to be guided by your family doctor and not be persuaded by Big Pharma and their multi-million dollar marketing campaigns.
Sometimes your doctor may recommend taking certain vitamins every few days rather than daily.
You might call it a top up for any deficiencies which may be present in your diet.
For women who have allergies or food intolerances, dietary deficiencies are especially a concern so be sure to look for supplements specifically designed for women’s health as these are more targeted and beneficial than a general multivitamin.
# 5. Omega-3 fish oil capsules.
These power-packed capsules deliver a daily dose of essential fatty acids.
But be warned, be careful of cheap and inferior quality brands. There are a lot of them out there.
Check the background of the company, are they reputable, and where they are sourcing the ingredients of their product from.
Omega-3s contain heart-healthy fats which improve cholesterol and triglycerides as well as many other functions in the body.
For women who are concerned about heart health, omega-3s are an important supplement to maintain.
While it’s always a good idea to eat flax seeds, oily fish like salmon and sardines two to three times a week, walnuts, olive oil and other foods high in omega-3s, a little boost from a supplement is recommended if your diet is deficient in this area.
#6. Don’t forget the importance of Vitamin D.
It is essential for healthy bones which all women need to be aware of as you age, yet vitamin d deficiency is one of the most common problems worldwide. Instead of taking a pill, just try and make sure you get some sun each day. It’s as easy as going and sitting in the park to eat your lunch each day.
These are just some of the more prominent supplements that support women’s health so I hope it has been helpful for you.
Some of these supplements are especially important for women as they age, but everyone can benefit from these specific dietary supplements at some time in their lives.
Consider adding these to boost health naturally and improve longevity and vitality, but the one thing I always like to make really clear is, supplements are only of any benefit if your body is lacking in something from either illness, injury (wear and tear) or your diet so check with your doctor before going and wasting money on things your body doesn’t really need.
Here are two more useful resources I am sure you will find helpful in your pursuit of better health and fitness:
1) A guide to the 10 Worst toxins in vitamins, supplements and health foods.
2) The Australian Dietary Guidelines – a free download of 8 different PDF’s to help ensure we can make healthy food choices – it is dietary advice based on the best scientific evidence.
“Health is the thing that makes you feel that now is the best time of the year.” – Franklin P. Adams
Cheers – John – your Active Ageing Mentor and Coach.
P.S. Help a friend to better health – like and share. Thanks.
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