Sponsored | The Female Formula: Why Women Need Supplements Designed Specifically for Them by Andy Moore

Despite the growing focus on women’s health, many still overlook the role of targeted nutrition. Women’s bodies go through constant changes, from hormonal fluctuations to shifts in bone density and metabolism. While a healthy diet is essential, it often falls short in providing all the nutrients needed to keep energy levels high, hormones balanced, and long-term health in check. This is why women-specific supplements aren’t just beneficial, they are essential. Andy Moore from Nutritional Performance Labs (NPL), a leading name in sports nutrition, offers insight on the topic.

More Than Just a Multivitamin: The Science Behind Women-Specific Supplements

For decades, the supplement industry has largely catered to a one-size-fits-all approach, ignoring the unique nutritional needs of women at every stage of life. While a balanced diet remains the foundation of good health, it is rarely enough to meet the full spectrum of requirements that fluctuate due to hormonal changes, lifestyle shifts, and age-related challenges. This is where targeted supplementation plays a crucial role, providing women with the support their bodies need to function optimally.

Hormones, Energy, and Strength: What Women Really Need

Women’s physiology differs significantly from men’s, yet many still rely on generic multivitamins or supplements designed primarily with male bodies in mind. A woman’s nutritional needs change with menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and beyond. Iron, for instance, is critical for pre-menopausal women due to blood loss during menstrual cycles, while post-menopausal women often require more calcium and vitamin D to support bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and B vitamins also play key roles in hormonal balance, mood regulation, and energy production. Yet, despite their importance, deficiencies are common. Research indicates that nearly 30% of women of childbearing age do not get enough iron, while up to 50% of postmenopausal women have insufficient vitamin D levels, increasing their risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

Gut Health: The Secret Weapon for Feeling and Looking Better

A lesser-discussed but equally important factor in women’s health is gut health. The digestive system influences everything from immune function to mental well-being, and poor gut health can contribute to chronic inflammation, bloating, and discomfort. Women are statistically more prone to digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bloating, which can be exacerbated by stress and hormonal fluctuations.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes offer targeted support for a healthier gut. While many take probiotics in the morning, research suggests they are most effective when taken at night, allowing beneficial bacteria to establish themselves without interference from food and stomach acid. Digestive enzymes, on the other hand, help the body break down food more efficiently, improving nutrient absorption and reducing bloating. By addressing gut health proactively, women can experience improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and even enhanced skin clarity and mental focus.

Supplements Aren’t Just for Gym-Goers

A common misconception is that supplements are only necessary for highly active women or those engaging in intense exercise. In reality, women of all activity levels can benefit from targeted nutrition. Whether engaging in strength training, yoga, walking, or simply managing a busy lifestyle, the right supplements can enhance recovery, maintain energy levels, and reduce the impact of stress on the body.

For instance, adaptogens like ashwagandha, often included in women-focused supplements, help manage cortisol levels, reducing stress and fatigue. Antioxidants such as grape seed extract support cognitive function and circulation, while collagen and biotin contribute to healthier hair, skin, and nails – areas where women frequently seek improvement.

Investing in Your Health: The Time is Now

The growing awareness of women’s unique health needs has led to the rise of formulations specifically designed for them. NPL’s VitaWomen range, for example, is created by women, for women, addressing gaps often overlooked in standard supplements. By incorporating key vitamins, minerals, and digestive aids, products like VitaWomen support overall well-being, making it easier for women to feel their best at every stage of life.

Beyond individual supplementation, community-driven health initiatives are also gaining traction. Events like NPL’s FemmeFit Fest on 29 March highlight the growing commitment to female-focused wellness have seen ticket sales soar. This interactive wellness day is designed to empower, energise, and inspire women, reinforcing the message that health is not just about individual choices but about collective support and shared knowledge.

With increasing recognition of women’s specific health needs, the conversation around targeted supplementation is long overdue. It’s time to move beyond generic solutions and embrace the tailored support that helps women not just function but thrive.

Author Bio:

Andy Moore holds an MSc in Dietetics and is currently the Research & Development and Quality Control Manager at NPL. She spearheads new product development for FMCG and pharmaceutical brands within the NPL group, including CAMs, sports supplements, and vitamins. Andy’s role involves sourcing ingredients, developing product concepts, and overseeing packaging in collaboration with the Creative Director. She ensures compliance with food safety and pharmaceutical regulations (SAHPRA) and supports strategic product launches with technical insights. Passionate about wellness and nutrition, Andy’s extensive experience in R&D, commercial strategy, formulation development, and QA management drives her commitment to improving consumer health and wellbeing. Her past roles include key positions at Glowing Sky Distributors, Powdermix Technologies, and USN SA – Ultimate Sports Nutrition.

Sources:

1. Iron Deficiency in Women of Childbearing Age: The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2019, 29.9% of women aged 15–49 years globally suffered from anaemia. World Health Organization
2. Vitamin D Deficiency in Postmenopausal Women: Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent among menopausal women, accounting for about 50%–80% of the total number of menopausal women. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. Iron Deficiency in the United States: In the United States, iron-deficiency anaemia affects about 10.5% of White women and 20% of African-American and Mexican-American women. Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
4. Vitamin D Inadequacy in North American Women: More than half of North American women receiving therapy to treat or prevent osteoporosis have vitamin D inadequacy. Oxford Academic
5. Iron Deficiency in Pregnant Women: Iron deficiency accounts for ≥72% of anaemia during pregnancy and 20%–37% postpartum. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1Wikipedia+1
6. Vitamin D Deficiency in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis: A study indicated a very high incidence of hypovitaminosis D among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1ijrcog.org+1
7. Iron Deficiency in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A study found a high prevalence of 45.20% of anaemia among pregnant women and 39.52% among non-pregnant women of childbearing age in low- and middle-income countries. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
8. Vitamin D Deficiency in Postmenopausal Women in India: A study reported that 70.4% of postmenopausal women in India had vitamin D deficiency, with average serum vitamin D levels at 25.3 ng/ml. ijrcog.org
9. Iron Deficiency in China: A nationwide epidemiological survey in China found that 42.6% of pregnant women and 34.4% of premenopausal non-pregnant women had iron deficiency. Wikipedia
10. Vitamin D Deficiency in Sri Lankan Postmenopausal Women: A study found that vitamin D deficiency in Sri Lanka was 57.2% (< 20 ng/mL), with a cumulative prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency at 88.2%. bmcnutr.biomedcentral.com

Visit the NPL (Nutritional Performance Labs) website for more information: https://www.npl.za.com/

ABOUT NPL (NUTRITIONAL PERFORMANCE LABS): QUALITY DRIVEN PRODUCTS THAT ARE #JUSTBETTER

NPL is pioneering a new era in Sports and Lifestyle Nutrition products. By disclosing our full ingredient profiles and not hiding behind proprietary blends, we are able to provide our customers the best possible up-to-date nutritional supplements at the most affordable price. No short cuts, no fancy names and no un-tested ingredients. NPL is fast becoming the most trusted brand in Performance Nutrition.

Nutritional Performance Labs is committed to producing scientifically formulated products using only the finest quality raw ingredients. Ingredients are carefully selected and sourced from all over the globe to ensure purity and quality. We are dedicated to advancing mental and physical performance in athletes and health-conscious individuals through performance supplementation. We strive and continue to deliver cutting-edge information on the proper use of exercise, nutrition, and sports supplementation as an effective way to elevate your lifestyle and achieve your goals. NPL is committed to developing a system that supports your goals. We don’t believe in simply selling products but rather solutions and solutions that last.

All NPL products are:

• Produced in third-party, internationally-accredited facilities.
• Are independently tested at random, to ensure our quality and commitment to our athletes.
• Carefully labelled to clearly show all key ingredient dosages and set the stage for innovation.
• Formulated with no proprietary blends.

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