Let’s talk about the secret sauce to supercharging your health and vitality: supplements. You see them everywhere. They outline supermarkets and health food stores and you might wonder to yourself, which bottle is the right one for you. It can be overwhelming and you might just shoo it off. That is, until your body starts to feel lethargic, achy or any other myriad of symptoms that comes along with the passage of time.
The truth of the matter is supplements aren’t just for fitness gurus or Instagram influencers with perfect abs. They are truly the unsung heroes to a well-balanced and rounded wellness journey and a wonderful preventative to your body’s older ailments. Because while that yummy kale salad is great and those squats are in fact very impressive, the reality is that life often serves us a complex menu of challenges that leaves nutritional gaps to be filled. Supplements are truly a wonderful way to fill those gaps and ensure that you get all the right flavors and nutrients your regular diet might be missing. If you are still wondering if supplements might be the right choice for you, read below to uncover vital information on everything supplements.
Bridging the Nutritional Gap
While the importance of a well-balanced diet is undeniable, it can sometimes be difficult for women to get all the essential nutrients they might need from their meals. The modern diet often lacks the necessary vitamins, minerals and other compounds that are vital for maintaining optimal health. Factors that contribute to this are busy schedules, dietary restrictions, food availability, and nutrient deficiencies. Statistical data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted by the CDC reveals that nutrient deficiencies are prevalent among American adults, with women facing a higher risk due to various factors such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. According to the survey:
- Approximately 10% of American women between the ages of 20 and 49 have iron deficiency anemia. Source: Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women
- Nearly 20% of women in the US have inadequate levels of Vitamin D – vital for bone health and immune function. Source: Vitamin D – Health Professional Fact Sheet
Specific Life Stages Require Targeted Nutrient Support
Throughout their lives, women will experience a myriad of life stages that demand specific nutritional support. From the demands of puberty to pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause, it’s important that women get to know the different phases of their body, so supplemental support can help:
- Pregnancy and Nutrient Needs: During the months of pregnancy, a woman’s nutritional needs increase significantly. A study published in the “Obstetrics & Gynecology” showed that adequate intake of folic acid and iron during pregnancy is crucial for fetal development and maternal health.
- Postmenopausal Women and Calcium: Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to bone loss which makes calcium intake crucial. In fact, the National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that postmenopausal women aged 51 and older should consume 1,200 mg of calcium daily through diet and supplements to maintain bone density.
Supplements Are Complementary & Immune Boosting
It’s important to understand that although supplements are important, they are not meant to replace the nutrients you find naturally in your meals. A balanced diet divides a wide range of nutrients and beneficial compounds that work together to support overall health. Supplements should be used primarily to fill in the nutritional gaps mentioned above, address specific health needs, and boost your immune system as a measured preventative.
Another opportune time to start taking supplements is when you see the early signs of your immune system weakening. Signs could be anything from frequent infections, slow healing, consistent fatigue, developing allergies, skin issues (rashes, acne, etc), digestive problems and swollen glands. When a mixture of these symptoms occur, your immune system can becomes less effective at defending your body from harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and other germs. When taking supplements you are helping prevent these harmful agents from taking over the body.
So when selecting your supplements to combat issues like lower immunity, you truly want to find the right quality and type since it will be performing important work to maintain your body’s optimal health. HPV supplements such as PAPCLEAR allow your body to work wonders with its immune boosting and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients (like green tea extract), highest grade lycopene, astragalus, and organic reishi mushroom. When picking your supplements it’s also best to try and find a supplement that has been supported and, better yet, produced by a doctor. PAPCLEAR is formulated by one the leading OB/GYN’s in the country, Dr. Monte, so you can feel assured in the quality of your chosen supplement.
In all, women should see supplements as their allies in pursuit of a healthier and ever transitioning lifestyle. With the demands of modern life, coupled with the ever-shifting landscape of food quality, it’s important we take charge of our physical wellbeing one supplement at a time.
Sources:
Title: “Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women.”
Author: Silas W. Smith, PharmD, BCPPS
Source: U.S. Pharmacist
uspharmacist.com/article/iron-deficiency-anemia-in-women
Title: “Vitamin D – Health Professional Fact Sheet.”
Source: Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Title: “Role of Nutritional Supplements in Gynecological Peri- and Postmenopausal Health.”
Authors: Shanmugam M., Ong C. S., Fadzli F., Rahim H. A., Haliza M. H., Kamaluddin M. A., Wong Y. L., Ahmad S.
Source: Journal of Mid-Life Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3218540/
Title: “Calcium/Vitamin D.”
Source: National Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation
bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/calciumvitamin-d/
