Vitamin Supplements
More and more women are taking vitamin supplements. These vitamin supplements include vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has now published the recommendation that everyone should take daily vitamin supplements. That is multi-vitamins with minerals. This recommendation was published in the respected Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). So now there is no longer any question... the medical establishment now says to take vitamin and mineral supplements every day.
Our Favorite Vitamin Supplements
We've tried many, many brands of vitamin supplements. Our favorite kind, and the one we can recommend without reservation, is Women’s Plus - Total Balance made by the Xtend-Life company.
The Editors here at Womens-Health-Questions have been taking Total Balance and the pure fish oil with wonderful results. One of our family members is 79 years young grandmother and these products have been wonderful for her. These products are the best quality you can find. We know because we have searched for and tried so many kinds. Studying vitamin supplements is a big part of our jobs here.
Here is more information about individual vitamin supplements for women and how they may be of benefit. Good quality daily supplements for women should include the following.
Vitamin A
This vitamin helps to maintain smooth skin, good eyesight and healthy cell membranes. It helps stimulate immunity, improves wound healing, is needed for formation of bone and growth hormone, and more.
Vitamin B Complex:
The B-complex vitamins include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12) pantothetic acid, choline and biotin. B vitamins are believed to help balance homocysteine levels, which may help to protect artery walls and support heart health. Heart disease takes the lives of more women each year than all forms of cancers added together. Vitamins are necessary for optimal womens heart health.
These B vitamins are important in the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins. They also support the health of the skin and hair. Choline is believed to play an important role in brain function and in the metabolism of fats. Meat is an abundant source of B vitamins and some vegetarians may become deficient and are recommended to take vitamin supplements.
Vitamin C:
These vitamin supplements are famous as anti-oxidants. Vitamin C also participates in the process of promoting the synthesis of collagen. Collegen helps keep the skin healthy and youthful. A high intake of antioxidants, especially vitamin C, may reduce the risk of cartilage loss and slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Participants in the Framingham Osteoarthritis Cohort Study who took higher than average amounts of vitamin C had a decrease in the risk of osteoarthritis.
Vitamin D:
A study published in the journal titled Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention studied 5,000 women and found that those who received sunlight exposure and vitamin D had a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not. Women living in areas of the U.S. with more sunshine had lower risk. You don't want over-exposure to the sun of course, but you do need some sunshine so your body can create natural Vitamin D for you.
This vitamin is important to bones and joints. Scientific studies are beginning to demonstrate that vitamin D may help slow the development of osteoarthritis. Researchers at Boston University Medical Center examined the knees of 556 patients during a two-year period. Those patients who showed progressive knee damage due to osteoarthritis also exhibited lower levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin E:
Research on the benefits of Vitamin E show it offers support for heart function, cells, nerves, muscles, joints, skin and hair.
Vitamin E was the subject of a study that included 87,000 nurses. The nurses who took Vitamin E supplements had a lower risk of heart disease than the ones who did not.
Stampfer MJ, et al., Vitamin E consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. New England Journal of Medicine, 328, 1444-1448, 1993.
Vitamin K:
Studies show Vitamin K may be important to your bone health and may help lower the risk of hip fracture. A prospective study of hip fractures and vitamin K use reported that low levels of this vitamin might increase risk of hip fracture.
Vitamin K also aids in blood clotting, and is often given to people before they have surgery. For this reason, anyone who is taking anti-coagulant medications such as Coumadin, should get their doctor's approval before taking Vitamin K supplements.
Some vitamin supplements fail to include this lesser known vitamin.
Liquid Vitamins?
You've seen the "amazing" claims of liquid vitamins.
Should you believe all of the liquid vitamin supplements claims? Are liquids better than tablets? One liquid vitamins company was actually fined by the government for false advertising claims. Read our report before buying any liquid vitamins.
Vitamin X?:
What in the world is "Vitamin X" anyway? Don't bother to check the label of your daily vitamin supplements. It is simply what some doctors are jokingly calling EXERCISE. It is not really a vitamin but it is very good for you. By referring to it as Vitamin X, it is hoped that patients will remember to get a daily dose of exercise.
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