Time to break down health vitals for each sex

This is the third and final installment of our series about supplements, and how vital it is to have a health expert guide you on what's most important to take for your body...

Whether men and women are equal in many facets of life will always be debated, but one thing we know for sure – as sexes we need different supplements.

Let's make it easy and recommend just two more supplements each sex should have daily.

For women:

• Calcium. Calcium is renowned for its healthy body benefits: strong bones, healthy teeth, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission and blood clotting. Due to its multiple functions in the body, calcium intake must remain sufficient throughout the lifespan. Inadequate consumption of calcium forces the body to leech calcium from the bones to fulfill necessary task throughout the body – over time this can lead to brittle bones, fractures and osteoporosis. Women are more susceptible to these conditions than men due to the loss of estrogen that occurs with menopause. Estrogen facilitates absorption and retention of calcium. Vitamin D is necessary for optimal absorption of calcium. Women should try to achieve 1500 to 2000 mg of calcium per day through food consumption and supplements.

• Iron. Iron supplements are not for every woman, but women should work with their doctor to carefully monitor iron levels, because many women experience lower levels due to monthly menstruation. Iron is vital for transport of oxygen to your brain, muscles and organs. Women with low iron may experience bruising, fatigue, weakness or have difficulty concentrating.

For men:

• Boron. Boron is essential for improving testosterone levels in men and plays a role in maintaining cognitive function. Adequate levels of boron have been linked to prostate health. In studies, men with adequate levels have been shown to reduce their risk of prostate cancer by 65 percent.

• Selenium.  Selenium is found in abundance in soil and is generally easily obtained from the food supply. In some areas of the country, poor soil conditions lead to low levels of selenium. Inadequate levels of selenium have been linked to an increased incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease and impaired male fertility. Talk to your doctor before supplementing selenium – excessive levels can worsen certain diseases and conditions.

We know that it can get confusing, which is why it's just as vital to your health that you read The Supplement Pyramid and have Dr. Michael A. Smith, a senior health specialist, act as your guide. He offers us a life-changing guide on what we individually need for optimum health and why.

The book offers step-by-step instructions and detailed medical quizzes, along with useful information about blood testing, which will help readers determine the most important nutritional supplements for their bodies. This then becomes an ideal personalized menu from which to choose.

To find out more about The Supplement Pyramid and other tools to improve your health, go to www.basichealthpub.com