What vitamins and minerals does a woman need?

Vitamin requirements by age

Everyone’s nutritional needs are a bit different. However, there are some vitamins and minerals that women tend to need more of as they age.

Women under 40 years of age

Iodine

Iodine is crucial for the healthy development of a baby’s brain during pregnancy.

According to a 2012 national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women between the ages of 20 and 39 years had lower iodine levels than any other age group in the study.

Women in this age group are the most likely to become pregnant. The RDA for iodine for this group is 150 mcg.

Folate

Folic acid is essential for women during the years that they can reproduce because it reduces the risk of birth abnormalities, especially those involving the spine and brain. Folate also helps create red blood cells and aids in protein digestion.

The CDC recommend that pregnant women, and those who may become pregnant, take folic acid supplements. Women 18 and older who are not pregnant need 400 mcg per day.

Women aged 41 to 50 years

Iron

Women who are in perimenopause are at a higher risk of developing iron deficiencies. Iron is a mineral that is essential for reproductive organs and functions. Iron is also important for:

• energy production
• wound-healing
• immune function
• red blood cell formation
• growth and development

The RDA for iron for women in this age group is 18 mg.

Calcium and vitamin D

As women age, they are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, which is a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for good bone health.

The RDA of vitamin D for adult women under 70 years of age is 15 mcg. The RDA for calcium is 1,000 mg for women aged 19 to 50 years.

Women aged 51 to 60 years

Vitamin B-6, B-12, and folic acid

Women aged over 50 years need more B vitamins than other women. B vitamins are crucial to overall health.

Vitamin B-6 is involved in over 100 known enzyme reactions and is essential to immune health. Vitamin B-6, B-12, and folic acid also help with:

• red blood cell production
• energy production
• protein metabolism
• cognitive development
• nervous system function

Research also indicates B vitamins may lower the risk of many conditions that impact older women more frequently.

According to the FNB, 10 to 30 percent of older people do not get enough Vitamin B-12 because they cannot absorb it properly. The FNB recommend that people over the age of 50 years should take supplements or consume more foods fortified with vitamin B-12 to meet their RDA.

Calcium and vitamin D

Due to changes in hormone levels, women who are in postmenopause are at even greater risk of developing osteoporosis.

In a 2013 study that followed 36,282 postmenopausal women in the U.S. over 7 years, researchers concluded that the women who took calcium and vitamin D supplements might have reduced their risk of hip fracture.

The RDA of calcium is 1,200 mg for women over the age of 50 years.

Women aged over 70 years

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential to bone health and helps maintain muscle mass. As people age, they naturally begin to lose bone and muscle mass. People over the age of 70 need more vitamin D than younger people.

Vitamins for different dietary needs

Many women also have unique dietary requirements depending on their activity levels, medical conditions, or lifestyle choices.

Women who are very active

Women who exercise a lot or have physically demanding jobs will generally need to consume more nutrients to stay healthy.

Research suggests that female athletes and those with active military jobs are at a higher risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D and calcium, which can lead to weakened bones and increased risk of injury.

Very active women may also be a greater risk of iron deficiency.

Very physically active women should speak with a doctor or dietitian about tailoring diet and supplement intake to meet their specific needs.

Women with heavy periods

Excessive blood loss from heavy periods can lead to iron deficiency and anemia. Women who regularly experience heavy periods may benefit from eating more iron-rich foods or taking supplements.

Anyone who is concerned about their periods or heavy menstrual bleeding should speak to a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Diet and nutrition are important for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Generally, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding have higher requirements for most vitamins and minerals, including:

• Iodine, which is important for healthy brain development. The RDA is 220 mcg for pregnant women and 290 mcg for those who are breastfeeding.
• Folic acid, which helps reduce the risk of birth abnormalities. The RDA is 600 mcg for pregnant women and 500 mcg for those who are breastfeeding

Vegan or vegetarian diet

To fully meet their nutritional requirements, vegans and vegetarians need to consider a few things when planning meals.

For example, vitamin B-12 is generally only found naturally in animal products. So, to meet their RDA, vegans and vegetarians may need to take supplements or eat foods fortified with B-12, such as some breakfast cereals and milk alternatives.

Vegans and vegetarians may also need to ensure they are getting enough protein, calcium, iron, and zinc. The best way to do this to eat a balanced and varied diet that includes foods, such as:

• beans, peas, and legumes
• whole grains
• nuts and seeds
• soy products
• broccoli
• dark green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and mustard greens
• fortified breakfast cereals, drinks, and milk alternatives
• nutritional yeast products

Mexican-American and Black-American women

A 2012 national survey from the CDC found that Mexican-American and non-Hispanic Black-American women were twice as likely to have low levels of iron than non-Hispanic white women. Women from these groups may benefit from eating more iron-rich foods or taking supplements.