This issue:

Still Breaking Out? Why Women Still Get Acne As Adults

Diabetes: Special Needs For Women

Yeast Infection Treatments: What's Right for You?

 

Vitamins & Minerals: Women's Needs

Wondering whether you're getting enough vitamins and minerals? Here are some factors that can affect women's needs.

Pregnancy & breast-feeding

During pregnancy and breast-feeding, there's a greater need for many vitamins, such as folic acid (vital for a child's growth and development and needed before pregnancy), vitamins D and E, and for such minerals as calcium, zinc and iodine.

Menstruation

Iron deficiency (anemia) tends to be more common in women than in men. Women lose iron during their periods.

Your bones

Calcium and vitamin D help keep bones strong and especially important for women, who are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis (which makes bones brittle and easily breakable). Your bones generally start losing some of their density or strength during your 30's, and after menopause they lose calcium faster due to hormonal changes. So you need a healthy supply of calcium and vitamin D throughout your life.

Dieting

Frequent dieting can lead to vitamin and mineral shortages, especially if the diets are very low in calories or lack a well-balanced variety of foods. For example, some diets can result in shortages of B vitamins and minerals. If fat is reduced drastically for a long period, there may be a shortage of fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D and E).

Every women needs micronutrients in proper amounts to keep body functions running smoothly. One A Day®, a vitamin and mineral supplement, is tailored to meet the specific needs of women. It provides calcium, iron, folic acid, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and other essential micronutrients.