I’ve been following these vitamin recommendations for years, but I’m starting to wonder if we’re all being sold a pack of oversimplified guidelines. Sure, supplements like vitamin D, calcium, and folate are touted as must-haves, but are they really essential for every woman, or has the narrative become more about selling pills than promoting real health?
For instance, vitamin D is often recommended, yet the dosage seems one-size-fits-all. Is that really justified given the variations in exposure to sunlight and individual absorption rates? And then there’s calcium—often advised in high amounts for bone health—despite mixed evidence on its long-term benefits and potential risks when taken without careful consideration of one’s overall diet.
I’m curious: how much of these “essential” vitamin protocols are backed by robust, nuanced research versus being a convenient touchpoint for supplement companies trying to market to us? Can a well-rounded, nutrient-rich diet truly replace these extra supplements for most women, or is there an underlying need that’s being overlooked in favor of profit?
Looking forward to detailed insights or studies that might cut through the hype.