Daily Supplements for Post-Menopausal Women

There are many daily supplements for post-menopausal women on the market, and it is easy to get confused about which ones you should take. However, once you understand what your body needs during this time, it will become clear which supplements are more likely to provide you with a complete source of vitamins and minerals.

After a woman turns 35, her body begins to change. Bones begin to lose their density and are more likely to break. As she approaches menopause, her metabolism slows down and it becomes harder to lose weight. Her immunity can be compromised. Her skin begins to sag. Daily supplements for post-menopausal women can help prevent or slow these changes.

Dietary Needs for Post-Menopausal Women

There are several vitamins and minerals that are helpful to post-menopausal women to keep them healthy and fit. A good, high quality supplement will include all of these necessary nutrients. Daily supplements for post-menopausal women are formulated with the special needs of older women in mind.

Some of the vitamins and minerals important for older women are well known. Calcium, the most important of these minerals, helps prevent osteoporosis and supports important bodily functions, such as the muscular and cardiovascular systems. In order to aid in the absorption of calcium, vitamin D3 should also be included in any supplement taken by post-menopausal women. In its own right, vitamin D3 may be useful in preventing breast cancer, type one diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Iron is a mineral that is important for all women, but is particularly useful for post-menopausal women because this group is more susceptible to anemia caused by iron deficiency. Folic acid is a B vitamin that may help prevent cardiovascular disease, and this vitamin should be included in all daily supplements for post-menopausal women.

Other components that should be included in daily supplements for post-menopausal women are not as well known. One is the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which helps to reduce inflammation. It may also help to eliminate irritable bowel-type symptoms. A common way to take GLA is through evening primrose oil. Indole-3-carbinol is another important supplement, which may aid in the prevention of cancer. Indole-3-carbinol is found in broccoli and Brussels sprouts (cruciferous vegetables), but may need to be taken in pill form by women who do not eat much of these vegetables.

You may not be able to find all of these supplements in a single pill. You will likely need to select several supplements that will provide you with the necessary combination of all the important daily supplements for post-menopausal women.