March is International Women’s Day. For years, work has been underway to improve women’s health and well-being, through science and care, today and every day.
When you think of women’s health, the first issues that come to mind may be gynecological problems, such as infertility, menopause, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as breast health. But in reality, this involves many issues that affect women differently than men and in ways that impact diagnosis and care.
Throughout history, doctors have considered women’s bodies to be atypical and men’s to be the “norm,” despite the fact that women make up almost half of the world’s population. Although political and social changes in recent decades have helped to change the situation, women are still underrepresented in research, sometimes blatantly so.
This may contribute to disparities in health care, as biological sex can play a role in physiological, metabolic, hormonal, and even cellular differences that can influence how diseases present and the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Failure to study medications and other interventions in a broad sample of women has contributed to women experiencing adverse drug effects at twice the rate of men.
Different needs in women’s health: Special supplements
Different minerals play a key role at different stages of life. For example, menstruating women often need extra iron until they reach menopause, and then they can eliminate iron from their list as it contributes to oxidative damage in the body.
Another example is that women typically build bone density during the first 35 years of life, creating a specific mineral reserve that forms the basis for bone health during the years after menopause when bone density tends to decline.
The main sources of minerals are certain types of whole foods, but eating a diet that contains all the necessary nutrients can be a challenge for any woman. Taking a multivitamin with added essential minerals can help you reach the recommended amount of minerals you need to stay healthy. Natural, food-based mineral supplements are also very beneficial.
Magnesium: Importance for muscle relaxation, sleep, stress management and bone health.
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic and metabolic reactions. Low levels in the body can cause irritability, headaches, muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms or tics, constipation, and insomnia. In addition to maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, magnesium helps keep the heart rhythm stable and supports a healthy immune system. Magnesium is just as important as calcium for building and maintaining bone health, so an ideal bone maintenance supplement will contain equal amounts of calcium and magnesium.
It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis, as the body needs it to complete certain chemical reactions related to carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Lastly, magnesium is necessary for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione, which is crucial for detoxification activities and a healthy immune system.
MAGSHAPE™ microcapsules are a highly concentrated source of magnesium that makes it possible to produce an effective product to restore and maintain a healthy level of magnesium in the cells and bones of people. However, while magnesium plays a vital role, the importance of maintaining its intake at an adequate level has often been underestimated by the general population and by athletes. Therefore, magnesium supplementation is widely recommended. Thanks to its high concentration of magnesium, it can be added to many different applications due to its stability, flowability, compressibility and pleasant taste.
Additionally, a recent clinical study comparing MAGSHAPE™ to other sources of magnesium found that MAGSHAPE™ microcapsules significantly increased plasma magnesium levels compared to other sources of magnesium.
In addition, MAGSHAPE™ microencapsulation technology reduced adverse side effects associated with magnesium supplementation.
MAGSHAPE™ vs. Magnesium Citrate: An Eye-Opening Comparison
Calcium: Importance for bone health, muscle function and nerve transmission.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and is necessary for healthy muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, and hormone secretion. Nearly all of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones and teeth, where it is vital for their support and structure. It is especially important in women’s health, as adequate amounts of calcium reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, which can lead to a higher incidence of fractures. In addition to its bone benefits, calcium is also effective in lowering blood pressure, treating migraines, and reducing symptoms of PMS.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium is around 1000 mg, although some research suggests that even higher levels may have additional health benefits. Some forms of calcium are much better absorbed than others, so it is best to choose sources such as calcium citrate, malate, chelate, and orotate, which are more easily absorbed by the body.
While some of the richest sources of calcium include dairy products, as well as seaweed, bok choy, kale, and broccoli, as well as calcium-fortified foods, juices, beverages, and cereals, dairy products also contain low amounts of magnesium and high levels of phosphorus, which can reduce calcium availability.
LIPOCAL™ is a water-dispersible, micronized calcium source coated with lecithin. This unique delivery system increases the dispersion and absorption capacity of calcium. Although dairy products account for approximately 70% of dietary calcium, total calcium intake is still inadequate. This supplementation can be applied in a wide range of products.
Iron: Importance for energy, anemia prevention, and cognitive health.
Iron is part of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the body, but is also found in the protein myoglobin, which makes oxygen available for muscle contractions.
An iron deficiency causes an obstacle in the delivery of oxygen to cells, which can lead to fatigue, decreased immunity, and anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are immature, small, or contain too little hemoglobin to carry the normal amount of oxygen to tissues.
There are two forms of iron in the diet: heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is derived from the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells and is found in animal foods such as red meat, fish, and poultry. Non-heme iron is found in plant foods such as lentils, beans, blackstrap molasses, dried apricots, and raisins.
Iron: The Mineral Every Woman Needs to Know About
Iron is essential for women’s health at all stages of their lives. During childhood and adolescence, it is crucial for growth and development, especially with the onset of menstruation. In reproductive age, iron needs increase due to menstruation and pregnancy. During menopause, heavy periods can cause iron deficiency, and in postmenopause, iron absorption can decrease, making an adequate diet important. In older age, maintaining adequate iron levels is vital to prevent anemia and maintain energy and cognitive function.
Iron supplementation is common to treat iron deficiency, but it can present absorption problems and side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea and stomach pain, as well as teeth stains, especially with liquid supplements. These side effects make it difficult for women to continue or tolerate iron supplementation.
LIPOFER is a microencapsulated form of iron that improves absorption and reduces side effects. Microencapsulation makes iron more bioavailable and stable, prevents negative interactions with other components of the formulas and improves its tolerance.
This makes it ideal for inclusion in different formats of sensorially pleasant and convenient nutraceutical products, such as gummies or dispersible powders, without altering their flavor or stability.
Plant sterols
Menopause is associated with a number of changes, including increased abdominal fat, higher blood pressure, and unfavorable lipid profiles, all of which contribute to an increased risk of heart disease.
Plant sterols, also known as phytosterols, are naturally occurring compounds found in plants with a structure similar to human cholesterol. These compounds may be especially beneficial for women going through menopause, as they can help alleviate some of these symptoms and improve overall health, especially cardiovascular health.
LIPOPHYTOL contains microencapsulated phytosterols that facilitate their dispersion in different food matrices that can help women looking for a natural solution to manage menopausal symptoms.
LIPOPHYTOL helps mitigate these risks by improving lipid profiles, reducing LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increasing HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)1. In addition, its anti-inflammatory properties further promote cardiovascular health.
By incorporating LIPOPHYTOL into their routine, postmenopausal women can potentially reduce their risk of developing CVD and maintain better overall heart health. The source of the study can be found here.
Here you can see the latest video about LIPOPHYTOL
Zinc
Zinc is another vital mineral for healthy living, as even a small deficiency can cause a decrease in immunity. This mineral is best known for preventing and shortening the duration of colds, which is due to its powerful ability to strengthen the immune system and increase white blood cell count. Zinc is necessary for the functioning of many enzymes in the body, effectively helps regulate hormones, and has even been shown to increase fertility.
This is a critical mineral in any supplement program, as it aids in the body’s absorption of minerals such as calcium, which can help prevent osteoporosis. Finally, the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing benefits of zinc can help improve numerous conditions, such as acne and poor skin health, among others. People who want to turn to dietary sources of zinc should consider foods such as oysters and pumpkin seeds, which are known to be rich in zinc. Other foods rich in zinc include most types of meat products, beans, nuts, whole grains, and many other seeds.
ZINCNOVA microcapsules are a novel, non-reactive encapsulated form of zinc oxide for easy fortification of a wide range of food applications with this nutrient. Zinc deficiency can be due to inadequate intake of the mineral or absorption problems, especially in people with gastrointestinal disorders.
Most women are deficient in the mineral, so it may be worth considering supplementation, as these minerals are critical for proper metabolic function, hormonal balance, and bone strength, among other health benefits.
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MAGSHAPE™ vs. Magnesium Citrate: An Eye-Opening Comparison
