by Stephanie Allen, CN, CPES, Wellness Works Manager

Lifestyle habits such as restful sleep, regular exercise and a healthy diet are paramount for health in all humans. Making time for self-care is critical, as is good nutrition. Many western diets, which contain an abundance of processed foods, are lacking in important nutrients needed for optimal well-being.

Adding a specialized whole food-based multivitamin can help fill nutritional gaps and offers additional support specific to women. The nutrients in Women’s One Daily Whole Food Multi are cultured in a base of fruits, vegetables and herbs with Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast). This unique whole food complex provides naturally occurring enzymes, phytonutrients and metabolites for added support for women’s health.

Nutritional changes during pregnancy are critical for the ultimate health and development of an unborn child. The mother’s nutritional status during pregnancy will impact her child for many years after birth, which is why caffeine, alcohol and certain prescription medications are discouraged for women during pregnancy.

A healthy diet of whole foods and specialized supplementation such as Prenatal Plus may help assure a solid foundation for a woman and her developing fetus. In addition, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can have a profound effect on the development of the brain, which can impact a child’s cognitive abilities for years to come.1 Adding an omega-3 supplement can also provide the extra DHA for forming of new neural tissues for both baby and mother, as well as provide additional cardiovascular support.

Not all women who are facing hormonal changes, such as those seen during perimenopause and menopause, want hormone replacement therapy. The German Commission E — a scientific advisory board of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in Germany — supports the use of black cohosh to help moderate the uncomfortable changes that may accompany menopause. Nutritional supplements that include dong quai root and chasteberry can provide support for women experiencing perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms too. Combination products containing these ingredients can be found in Black Cohosh Plus or Menopause Support and may provide some relief of symptoms.

For those women experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a combination of myo and D-chiro-inositol in a 40:1 ratio has been shown to help restore hormone balance and regular cycles.3 All of the ingredients in PCOS Support , such as these forms of inositol, cinnamon, fenugreek and chromium, work together to help support optimal blood glucose and healthy ovarian function.

Additionally, women get urinary tract infections (UTIs) up to 30 times more often than men and, for 20% of women, these UTIs are recurrent.3,4 These infections are generally caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), which have projections of lectin that allow them to hang on to the wall of the urinary tract. Many times, E. coli remain even after a round of antibiotics; the residual E. coli begin to repopulate, causing new symptoms and another round of antibiotics. D-mannose, a unique, simple sugar that is rapidly excreted through urine, sticks to the E. coli and helps eliminate the bacteria from the urinary tract.5 UT Support is an all-natural supplement comprised of D-mannose that helps eliminate the bacteria and support a healthier urinary tract.

Many women deal with these and other health concerns. Each person is different and has different needs. The Wellness Works Women’s line attempts to aid in addressing just a few of the more common health needs specifically for women. However, women’s health not only refers to a woman’s physical condition, it is also her total well-being. Proper diet, adequate sleep, a lifestyle that minimizes stress, regular exercise and checkups with health care professionals are pertinent to maintaining a woman’s health throughout her life.

A version of this article originally appeared in PCCA’s members-only magazine, the Apothagram, and on The PCCA Blog.

REFERENCES

1. Basak, S., Mallick, R., Duttaroy, A.K. (2020) Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Status during Pregnancy and Its Impact on Infant Neurodevelopment. Nutrients, 12(12), 3615. Accessed 2021 at  https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123615

2. Monastra, G., Unfer, V., Harrath, AH., (2016). Combining treatment with myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol (40:1) is effective in restoring ovary function and metabolic balance in PCOS patients. Accessed 2023 at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27898267/

3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health. (page last updated February 22, 2021) Urinary Tract Infections. Accessed 2021 at https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections

4. Farford, B. (2018 March). Management and Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women. Accessed 2021 at https://www.consultant360.com/articles/management-and-prevention-ecurrent-urinary-tract-infections-women

5. Wagenlehner, F., Lorenz, H., Ewald, O., Gerke, P. (2022 February 25) Why d-Mannose May Be as Efficient as Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Infections—Preliminary Considerations and Conclusions from a Non-Interventional Study. Accessed 2022 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8944421/

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and supplements referenced in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.