Complete Nutrition for Women

MISSION, KS--(Marketwired - Aug 4, 2014) - (Family Features) With so many different choices in the vitamin aisle, many women find it difficult to choose the right ones to fit their personal needs.

As a woman, keeping your body healthy is an important task. Whether you are in your child-bearing years, taking folic acid for a healthy baby, or in your post-menopausal years, taking extra calcium for healthy bones, there are various vitamins for women to consider at every stage of life.

A daily regimen
It's no secret that the use of vitamins has become a common act for most people. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that 54 percent of women take a vitamin on a daily basis. If your intention is to prevent disease, such as cancer or osteoporosis, or you just want to fill in nutrition gaps not covered in your daily diet, the reasons for taking vitamins and their many different forms are endless.

Giving back
While having the means to obtain such essential nutrients is simple for most Americans, there are many people who aren't as fortunate. In an effort to improve the everyday health of people everywhere, Walgreens is joining up with Vitamin Angels, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping at-risk populations gain access to lifesaving micronutrients.

Customers can make a difference and help children and mothers at risk by purchasing select health and wellness supplements at Walgreens. With each purchase, the company will offer 1 percent of its vitamins sales to help provide 100 million at-risk children and mothers in the US and abroad with essential vitamins and minerals.

"Walgreens' mission is to help people get, stay and live well, and we are proud to support Vitamin Angels' cause," said Robert Tompkins, group vice president and general merchandise manager. "Through this program, our customers can make a difference in so many lives by simply continuing to fulfill their health and wellness needs at Walgreens."

For more information, visit www.vitaminangels.org and www.walgreens.com.

Trends in women's nutrition
From TV talk shows to the local nightly news programs, the public is never at a loss for nutritional information targeted toward women. Use this list of some of the popular vitamins and supplements that have recently made headlines to help you decide whether they fit into your health and wellness regimen.

Multivitamins
While most of the nutrients contained within multivitamins can be found in food, taking one daily can fill in any missing gaps. A daily multivitamin can satisfy all of your daily nutrition needs. When shopping for the right product, note that not all multivitamins are created equal. Some varieties offer a different amount of nutrients targeted to a specific age group or function, such as Centrum Silver Women 50+ Multivitamin tablets, which provide additional support for breast and bone health.

Omega-3 supplements
Perhaps one of the most talked about nutrition products on the market, omega-3 fish oil supplements have been praised by various health professionals for their heart health benefits. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One product, Nature's Bounty Odorless Fish Oil 1000 mg Dietary Supplement Softgels, provides a special coating to minimize the unfavorable aftertaste often associated with such pills.

Vitamin D
While many people obtain vitamin D through exposure to natural sunlight, it can also be found in small increments in fatty fishes and in fortified dairy and cereal products. Supplements of both vitamin D3 (at 700-800 IU/day) have been shown to reduce the risk of bone loss and fractures in elderly people aged 62-85 years. For those looking for a convenient way to get the vitamin D needed for optimal health, try the Finest Nutrition Vitamin 5000 IU Dietary Supplement.

Calcium
To keep bones healthy and strong throughout life, your body requires calcium. This bone-strengthening nutrient reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. To increase your calcium intake, try the Nature Made Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D Dietary Supplement Liquid Softgels, which provide additional vitamin D to promote calcium absorption.

Folic acid
A nutrient commonly taken by women who are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant, folic acid is known to reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in babies.

For those looking to improve their health and wellbeing, a general understanding of the many uses for vitamins and supplements may just be their own personal key to longevity.

Preventive Solutions for Women
Invest in your future by taking advantage of health testing services at your local Walgreens pharmacy or Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens. Some services offered include the following tests:

• Cholesterol
• Blood glucose
• Blood pressure
• Body composition

Talk to your physician about your test results.

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