Increased need for vitamins and minerals in women

Women have a greater need for certain vitamins and minerals during certain periods in their lives. Supplements may be needed if a woman can't meet her increased needs through food alone.

Vitamins and minerals based on a woman's stage of life

Group	Extra nutrient needed	Amounts and sources
Teenage girls (9 to 18 years old)	Calcium	1300 milligrams (mg) daily (can be obtained from diet)1
	Vitamin D	400 IU daily2
Menstruating women and teens	Iron	15 to 18 milligrams (mg) daily (can be obtained from diet)3
	Folic acid	400 micrograms (mcg) daily (supplements recommended)4
Pregnant women	Iron	27 milligrams (mg) daily after the first trimester (supplements recommended)5
	Folic acid	400 micrograms (mcg) daily (supplements recommended)5
Postmenopausal women	Calcium	1200 milligrams (mg) daily (can be obtained from diet)1
	Vitamin D	400 IU daily for women ages 51 to 70, and 600 IU daily for women ages 71 and older (may need supplements)6

Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: February 6, 2009
Medical Review:	Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator
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