Most adults arent meetingallof our micronutrient(think vitamin and mineral) recommendations1.
This is true even for those eating a well-balanced diet.
Iron
Iron deficiency among women is alarmingly common.
Researchers of a 2021 study estimated that about17% of menstruating women2are deficient in the mineral.
So not having solid enough stores can leave you feeling fatigued and lightheaded.
About29% of adults in the U.S. are deficient & 41% are insufficient5in this vitamin.
Folate
Folateis a crucial B vitamin that supports DNA synthesis and cell division.
So it is especially important during the early stages of pregnancy to preventneural tube defects6.
Even the supplemental folic acid form of folate is impacted by this.
So not getting enough B12 can also leave you feeling lethargic and fatigued.
Why do women fall short?Vitamin B12 is another nutrient7that birth control pills can deplete.
READ MORE:The 17 Best Multivitamins, According To Experts
What to do about it?
First and foremost, its important to confirm youre consistently eating a balanced diet.
And thats where smart supplementation comes in.
A thoughtfully formulated multivitamin (orprenatalfor those who are pregnant), can help fill these nutrient gaps.
We did the research (so you dont have to) and rounded up the topmultivitamins for women here.