Multivitamin supplementation for women
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Multivitamin Supplementation and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women
Research shows that multivitamin supplementation during pregnancy can have several benefits. In overweight and obese women, taking multivitamins in the first trimester is linked to a significant reduction in the risk of pre-eclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication. This effect is especially notable in women with a BMI of 25 or higher, suggesting that those with higher body weight may benefit the most from supplementation during early pregnancy. Folate supplementation also contributes to lowering pre-eclampsia risk in this group . Additionally, in low- and middle-income settings, daily multivitamin use during pregnancy increases the adequacy of gestational weight gain and reduces the risk of severely inadequate or inadequate weight gain, which is important for healthy birth outcomes . Among HIV-infected pregnant women, multivitamin supplementation improves hemoglobin levels and reduces the risk of anemia for both mothers and their children . However, when comparing different dosages, single and multiple recommended daily allowances of multivitamins appear equally effective in reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected women .
Multivitamin Supplementation and Chronic Disease Risk in Women
The relationship between multivitamin use and chronic disease risk in women is mixed. Large studies in postmenopausal women found no significant association between multivitamin use and the risk of developing cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or overall mortality, suggesting that routine supplementation does not prevent these conditions in this population . Similarly, long-term studies in middle-aged and older women found no link between multivitamin use and the risk of developing hypertension . However, one population-based study in Swedish women without prior CVD found that long-term multivitamin use was associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction, especially when used for five years or more, though this effect was not seen in women with existing CVD .
Multivitamin Supplementation and Metabolic Health in Women
In obese women, multivitamin and mineral supplementation has been shown to reduce body weight, body mass index, fat mass, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, while increasing resting energy expenditure and HDL cholesterol. These changes suggest that multivitamin supplementation may help improve metabolic health and lipid profiles, possibly by boosting energy expenditure and fat oxidation .
Multivitamin Supplementation and Psychological Wellbeing in Women
The impact of multivitamin supplementation on psychological wellbeing is less clear. In women experiencing psychological distress, multivitamin use did not significantly improve measures of anxiety, depression, or anger. However, there was some evidence that supplementation could positively affect certain inflammatory markers, which may have implications for long-term health .
Multivitamin Supplementation and Cognitive Function in Elderly Women
For elderly women with subjective memory complaints, 16 weeks of multivitamin, mineral, and herbal supplementation led to improvements in working memory speed. Supplementation also reduced homocysteine levels and increased B vitamin status, with no safety concerns reported. This suggests that multivitamin use may offer some cognitive benefits for older women at risk of cognitive decline .
Conclusion
Multivitamin supplementation can offer specific benefits for women, particularly during pregnancy and in populations at risk for nutritional deficiencies or chronic conditions. While evidence supports its role in improving pregnancy outcomes, metabolic health, and possibly cognitive function in elderly women, routine use does not appear to prevent major chronic diseases such as cancer or CVD in the general female population. The benefits of supplementation are most pronounced in targeted groups, such as pregnant women (especially those overweight or with HIV) and elderly women with memory concerns.
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