I’ve always been health conscious, but the past year brought a renewed focus on meeting nutritional goals. About a year ago, I found out I was pregnant, and today, I have a breast-fed 3 month old.
Like every concerned mom, I wanted to make sure I had a great pre-natal multivitamin to help me cover the bases to ensure my son stayed health in utero, and continues to get the nutrition he needs through my nursings. I also looked to nutrition to help reduce morning sickness symptoms and help relieve the inflammation and pain that comes with gaining a ton of weight in nine months.
Andrea Wong, Ph.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), recently reminded the public of the importance of nutrition for women as they care for children, and throughout the rest of their lives. In a statement release by CRN, Wong pointed to the importance of iodine for healthy brain development in utero as well as during early childhood. Earlier this year, CRN released guidelines on iodine that recommended its members’ prenatal multivitamins include at least 150 mcg/d of iodine.
Duffy MacKay, N.D., senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN, also made the call for prenatal vitamins to include 150 mcg/d of iodine in INSIDER’s Digital Issue, “The Modern Woman," which was published earlier this week. MacKay said CRN hopes the rest of the industry follows CRN members’ lead and includes this important nutrient in prenatals. “This is one of the unique times our industry can play a giant role in a public health issue," MacKay said.
Beyond iodine and pregnancy, Wong also stressed the need for vitamin D, calcium and iron for younger women. Calcium and vitamin D help prevent osteoporosis in older women, but only if women get enough of these nutrients throughout their lifetimes. . “Bone health requires lifelong maintenance," Wong said. “Women in their late teens and early twenties should consider supplementing with calcium and vitamin D if they are not getting enough from their diets alone."
Iron, Wong said, can also be depleted in young and middle aged women, so supplementation may be necessary.
For the older ladies, Wong said herbs such as black cohosh and maca can help ease the negative symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.
INSIDER’s “The Modern Woman" Digital Issue contains more information on these and other ingredients for women’s health including research and market data, so be sure to check it out as you formulate your next women’s health products.