Walk through your local grocery store or pharmacy and you’ll be surrounded by towers of vitamins and supplements offering you a variety of “benefits”… but are these “miracle supplements” really healthy?
Most collegiettes are not aware that the FDA does NOT regulate vitamins and supplements. Not to mention, too much of one vitamin can be toxic for your body. However, there are definitely vitamins that are important for young women who may not be getting enough nutrients from college diets that consist of pizza and Luna bars.
So what vitamins should collegiettes be taking?
- A Multi-vitamin
A multivitamin is definitely your best choice. It’s hard for college students to ensure that their entire diet is balanced every day, so a multivitamin can catch any deficiencies you may be experiencing. The best part about multi-vitamins is that you only have to take one pill rather then buying a supplement for each and every vitamin. Not sure which multivitamin is good? I recommend “One a Day: Teen Advantage for Her.”
*Image from hattershairjourney.blogspot.com
- Fish oil
Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to cognitive function. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish such as salmon, cod and mackerel. We all know that the Pit is certainly not serving us these, so a vitamin is probably our best choice. Wake is also an extremely active student body, and fish oil is amazing for inflammation caused by exercise. You can find fish oil in any grocery store or pharmacy, but if you are not sure which brand to buy, I recommend New Vitality’s CitriMega.
*Image from fitness.com
- B-Complex
B-complex consists of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, folic acid, and biotin. These vitamins promote stress reduction, healthy metabolism, energy production, restful sleep, (which many of us are deprived of here at Wake…) and reduced fatigue. While most B-vitamins are found in protein sources such as beans, nuts, poultry, seafood, and meat, some of them, like B12, are hard to get if you don’t eat meat. If you are a vegetarian, B-complex would be a good choice for you.
- Other important Vitamins and Minerals
The following vitamins and minerals are also essential to women’s health, but can easily be attained through foods…
Vitamin A: Crucial to eyesight and healthy skin. Just one cup of carrots contains 368% of the daily-recommended Vitamin A!
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for the immune system. One orange contains 150% of the recommended vitamin C amount.
Iron: Iron depletion can lead to fatigue, headaches, irritability and coldness. To get adequate iron, eat lots of leafy green veggies such as spinach, as well as beans and meat.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D keeps depression at bay and you can get all you need by simply spending 15 minutes in the sun.
*Image from fitnessnutritiondenverboulder.com
Some vitamins are harder to obtain than others, so supplement where you need to. If you are still unsure of which vitamins are right for you, there is no harm in asking your doctor! Just remember – more of a vitamin doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better for you!