Are prenatal vitamins good for women over 50?
Prenatal vitamins are a good multivitamin source for women of childbearing age. But because the majority of women over the age of 50 are post-menopausal, it's probably better that they choose a multivitamin specifically formulated for women who are in that stage of life. See my post with the best vitamins for young women. Prenatal vitamins contain added iron and folate. While this is great for mamas-to-be, it can pose health risks for older women who no longer menstruate. Iron deficiency is rare in postmenopausal women. Excess iron in supplementation form can harm organs such as the liver, pancreas, and heart. Excess iron has also been linked to an increased risk for diabetes. Iron overload can also leave some women prone to a condition called hemochromatosis, a common genetic disorder in the United States.