If you are a woman who has recently turned 40, don’t panic! You have to maintain a sense of perspective when a major milestone is reached. Sure, you’ll never be 20 again, but aren’t you glad of that in many respects? Because you are no longer 20, you need to start taking better care of yourself if you haven’t already: as your body ages, you need to start supplementing its natural functions with extra nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. Here is an overview of the top four supplements for women over 40.
1. Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D
These vitamins and minerals often come rolled up into one with a good multi-vitamin. If you have a family history of osteoporosis, you’ll want to take increased levels. Make sure you contact a nutritionist or your physician to determine a daily dosage that’s just right for you. Although you may not experience the effects of osteoporosis for another decade or more, the time to prevent it is NOW. Women begin losing bone mass at the rate of 1 percent a year beginning at age 35. Most women do not consume enough calcium-rich foods to make up the difference: a supplement is the way to go.
2. Omega-3 Fish Oil
Heart disease is still the Number One killer of American women. The best prevention against heart attacks and coronary disease is to live a healthy lifestyle: maintain reasonable weight, quit smoking, and be careful what you eat. Omega-3 fish oil supplements are invaluable in preventing heart disease in women.
3. Anti-Cancer Combinations
If you are at risk for cancer, you can take a combination of different supplements that may help to prevent the disease: Vitamins E, C, and B-complex; ginseng; grape seed extract; garlic; and Echinacea. If you haven’t already, limit your exposure to the sun and give up tanning beds altogether. Sun exposure not only causes skin cancers but also promotes premature aging of the skin.
4. Collagen
Speaking of skin: when a woman reaches 40, her body is a lot less efficient at producing adequate levels of collagen to keep skin elastic, nails strong, and hair healthy. This is why fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear: lack of collagen and the inevitable effects of gravity! Taking a daily collagen supplement will make a real difference, really fast. In fact, women notice stronger nails in just two weeks. Hydrolyzed collage supplements are the best form to take since they are most easily broken down and absorbed by the body’s natural processes.
There’s no going back! So embrace the wisdom you’ve gleaned from your young adult years and face the next part of your life head-on. Smart women over 40 take the right supplements that will help them to both look and feel younger no matter their age.