Beauty Tips

Vitamins for Women: What You Really Need

Instead of assuming you need to pop the latest buzz-generating vitamins for women, consult this list of key nutrients

by Carrie Stern Kleiner

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As women we're obsessed with staying healthy (read: maintaining our weight and youthful appearance) and eating right; but figuring out which vitamins for women your body really needs can be more than a little confusing -- and, not surprisingly, as a result, a lot of women aren't getting the nutrients they need.

See the vitamins for women you actually need -- now

Want examples? Well, according to dietitian Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, author of "The Beauty Diet: Looking Great Has Never Been So Delicious" (McGraw-Hill, 2008), many women's diets are low in calcium and vitamin D, both of which are important to bone health. "Additionally, research has linked vitamin D to various other health benefits, such as providing protection against breast cancer," says Drayer. And, iron and vitamin B6 deficiencies are also widespread among women. So what does this all mean? Well, we suggest bucking the trend and making a few simple adjustments to get the vitamins for women that you actually need.

Here we'll share the most important nutrients and vitamins for women that should be on your radar, and we explain how you can easily incorporate them into your diet. Most dieticians and nutritionists agree that it's best to get these vitamins from your food -- since you can get various nutrients at once. But they also agree that it's "smart to take a multivitamin or multimineral to fill any nutrient gaps," explains dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD. So if you can't squeeze these nutrients into your meal plan, supplements are the next best thing.

Here's the breakdown on the vitamins you really need to stay healthy and look and feel your best.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Calcium (1,000 mg daily): For your bones

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Older comments

I used to work at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine for twelve physicians who studied vitamins and their effects. My appearance and health changes drastically when I don't take strong vitamin/mineral supplements.

by GigiSD Monday, May 6, 2013 at 11:16AM Report as inappropriate

Smart.

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:20AM Report as inappropriate

i really enjoyed reading this....got a lot of helpful tips to be healthy as woman

by onelove211 Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 05:48PM Report as inappropriate

vitamins are needed! very helpful for you

by aishak55 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 03:13PM Report as inappropriate

I take all of these except iron on a rotation basis. But I eat steak once a week and plenty of eggs.

by EricaC123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 08:25AM Report as inappropriate

I learned a lot! I think I might check out getting a Vitamin A supplement!

by Chris213 Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 05:08PM Report as inappropriate

Really helpful, thanks!

by michellefuentes Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 11:01PM Report as inappropriate

My primary care physician just told me the other day to add B complex and D to my Calcium Citrate and multi-vitamin.

by alictasia Friday, August 10, 2012 at 06:03PM Report as inappropriate

Trying to eat more fish and lots of fresh organic veggies and fruits. These are some great tips to follow for ever!

by Ydabney Friday, August 10, 2012 at 01:59PM Report as inappropriate

I take garlic pills and eat it as much as possible. I also take vitamins for my eyes mesozeaxanthin derived from marigolds.

by asiagirl4ever Monday, July 16, 2012 at 08:49PM Report as inappropriate