This White Rice Variety Is The Healthiest
There are many varieties of rice, each with specific characteristics, which means that some are better than others for different dishes—and that rice varieties notably differ in their nutritional properties as well. Basmati, a long-grain white rice from India, is especially popular with athletes due to properties that distinguish it from 'normal' white rice.
What is the difference between 'normal' rice and basmati rice?
Basmati rice is characterized by it's narrow, long-grain shape, which extends when cooked. Other varieties of rice have more of an oval shape and fuller grains that tend to clump together. Basmati rice is less refined than white rice, so it retains more fiber and nutrients. It also has a lower glycemic index than other varieties of white rice and is easier to digest. Basmati rice additionally retains seasoning better and has a distinctly richer aroma.
Basmati rice's nutritional properties
The nutritional numbers for 100 grams of cooked basmati rice are:
Carbohydrates: 27 grams
Protein: 2.5 grams
Fats: 0.3g
Fiber: 0.4 grams
Vitamins: contains B vitamins
Minerals: provide iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus
Basmati rice's glycemic index
Basmati rice has a lower glycemic index than other types of white rice, which helps prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar. Glycemic peaks can cause negative effects such as increased hunger and insulin resistance.
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Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) approved in Singapore to protect all infants against RSV disease
Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is the only option that can offer RSV protection designed for all infants with proven high, sustained efficacy, favourable safety and public health impact demonstrated in the real world.[1] In the recent HARMONIE trial findings, Beyfortus reduced RSV hospitalisations in infants by 82.7% (95% CI: 67.8 to 91.5; p<0,0001) through six months (180 days). [2], [3] Administration can be timed during the first year of life to provide protection from birth, or as early as possible. SINGAPORE, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved Sanofi and AstraZeneca's BEYFORTUS (nirsevimab) for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants born during or entering their first RSV season, and for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. Globally, around 2 in 3 babies will catch RSV before their first birthday[4] and it remains the most common cause of lower respiratory tract disease, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia, in infants[5]. RSV is also a leading cause of hospitalisation among infants in Singapore, with most cases occurring in otherwise healthy, full-term babies. Each year, approximately 1,804 children under 29 months are hospitalised due to RSV-related illness[6-10]. A panel of leading paediatricians in Singapore recently published an expert consensus, underscoring the urgent need for RSV protection in all infants. They concur that nirsevimab is key to alleviating the RSV burden on the healthcare system and recommend that immunisation be considered for all infants under the National Immunisation Programme in Singapore.[11] Zainab Sadat, Head of Vaccines, Sanofi Southeast Asia & India "Today, Singapore joins other countries worldwide where an innovative immunisation solution is now available to protect all infants against RSV. The approval of BEYFORTUS marks a critical step towards giving parents the ability to protect their babies during their first year of life, when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV disease. We are committed to working with stakeholders across the RSV care continuum to ensure seamless implementation and broad availability of this innovative preventive solution — because every baby needs protection. Our goal is simple: to help parents protect their babies, and give them peace of mind." The approval was based on results from the extensive BEYFORTUS clinical development programme spanning three pivotal late-stage clinical trials. Across all clinical endpoints, a single dose of BEYFORTUS demonstrated high and consistent efficacy against RSV disease sustained for at least five months. BEYFORTUS was well tolerated with a favourable safety profile that was consistent across all clinical trials. The overall rates of adverse events were comparable between BEYFORTUS and placebo and the majority of adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. In temperate countries, the single administration of BEYFORTUS was developed to correspond with the beginning of the RSV season for babies born prior to the season or at birth for those born during the RSV season. In clinical trials, BEYFORTUS helped prevent RSV disease requiring medical care in all infant populations studied, including those born healthy, at term or preterm, or with specific health conditions that make them vulnerable to severe RSV disease. RSV disease requiring medical care included physician office, urgent care, emergency room visits and hospitalisations. About RSV RSV is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious respiratory illness for infants.[5] It is a leading cause of hospitalisation in all infants, with most hospitalisations for RSV occurring in otherwise healthy infants born at term[6-10]. Two out of three infants are infected with RSV during their first year of life and almost all children are infected by their second birthday[4]. Globally, in 2019, there were approximately 33 million cases of acute lower respiratory infections leading to more than three million hospitalisations, and it was estimated that there were 26,300 in-hospital deaths of children younger than five years[12]. RSV-related direct medical costs, globally — including hospital, outpatient and follow-up care — were estimated at €4.82 billion in 2017[13]. About BEYFORTUS BEYFORTUS (nirsevimab) is the first immunisation designed for all newborns and infants for protection against RSV disease through their first RSV season, including for those born healthy at term or preterm, or with specific health conditions. It is also indicated for children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. As a long-acting antibody provided directly to newborns and infants as a single dose, BEYFORTUS offers rapid protection to help prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV without requiring activation of the immune system. BEYFORTUS administration can be timed to coincide with the RSV season. BEYFORTUS has been approved for use in the European Union, the US, China, Japan, and many other countries around the world. Special designations to facilitate expedited development of BEYFORTUS were granted by several regulatory agencies, including Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Priority Review designation by The China Center for Drug Evaluation under the National Medical Products Administration; Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Fast Track Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration; access granted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) PRIority MEdicines (PRIME) scheme and EMA accelerated assessment; Promising Innovative Medicine designation by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; and BEYFORTUS has been named "a medicine for prioritized development" under the Project for Drug Selection to Promote New Drug Development in Pediatrics by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. About the clinical trials The Phase 2b trial[14] was a randomised, placebo-controlled trial designed to measure the efficacy of BEYFORTUS against medically attended lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV through 150 days post-dose in healthy preterm infants of 29 to less than 35 weeks' gestation (n=1,453). Infants were randomised (2:1) to receive a single 50 mg intramuscular injection of BEYFORTUS (n=969) or placebo (n=484) regardless of weight at the RSV season start. The primary endpoint was met, significantly reducing the incidence of medically attended RSV LRTD by 70.1% (95% CI: 52.3, 81.2; P<0.001) compared to placebo. In a prespecified secondary endpoint, BEYFORTUS reduced medically attended RSV LRTD with hospitalisation by 78.4% (95% CI 51.9, 90.3) versus placebo. The BEYFORTUS dosing regimen was determined based on further exploration of the Phase 2b data and was used in subsequent trials as a single 50 mg dose for infants who weigh less than 5 kg, or a single 100 mg dose for those who weigh 5 kg or greater. A post-hoc analysis of the Phase 2b study that applied the recommended 50 mg dose in a subgroup of infants weighing less than 5 kg showed the efficacy of BEYFORTUS against medically attended RSV LRTD and medically attended RSV LRTD with hospitalisation was 86.2% (95% CI 68.0, 94.0) and 86.5% (95% CI 53.5, 96.1), respectively. The Phase 3 MELODY trial[15] was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted across 21 countries designed to determine the safety and efficacy of BEYFORTUS against medically attended LRTD caused by RSV in healthy term and late preterm infants (35 weeks gestational age or greater) entering their first RSV season, including efficacy against severe disease such as hospitalisation, through 150 days after dosing. The primary endpoint was met, reducing the incidence of medically attended RSV LRTD by 74.5% (95% CI 49.6, 87.1; P<0.001) compared to placebo. The efficacy of BEYFORTUS against the secondary endpoint of hospitalisation was 62.1% (-8.6, 86.8). A pre-specified pooled analysis of the Phase 3 MELODY trial showed the efficacy of BEYFORTUS against medically attended RSV LRTD and medically attended RSV LRTD with hospitalisation was 79.5% (95% CI 65.9, 87.7; P<0.0001) and 77.3% (95% CI 50.3, 89.7; P<0.001), respectively. MEDLEY was a Phase 2/3[16], randomised, double-blind, palivizumab-controlled trial with the primary objective of assessing safety and tolerability for BEYFORTUS in preterm infants of less than 35 weeks' gestational age and infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) and/or chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity eligible to receive palivizumab. Between July 2019 and May 2021, a total of 925 infants at higher risk for severe RSV disease entering their first RSV season were randomised to receive BEYFORTUS or palivizumab. Safety was assessed by monitoring the occurrence of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and treatment emergent severe adverse events (TESAEs) through 360 days post-dose. Serum levels of BEYFORTUS following dosing (on day 151) in this trial were comparable with those observed in the Phase 3 MELODY trial, indicating similar protection in this population to that in healthy term and late preterm infants is likely. BEYFORTUS was well tolerated with a favourable safety profile that was similar to palivizumab in the MEDLEY Phase 2/3 trial and consistent with the safety profile in healthy term and preterm infants compared to placebo across the MELODY and Phase 2b trials. The overall rates of adverse events were comparable between BEYFORTUS and placebo and the majority of adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. The results of MELODY, Phase 2/3 MEDLEY and the Phase 2b trials illustrate that BEYFORTUS helped prevent RSV disease requiring medical care in all infant populations studied, including those born healthy at term or preterm, or with specific health conditions that make them vulnerable to severe RSV disease. RSV disease requiring medical care included physician office, urgent care, emergency room visits and hospitalisations.[11] These trials form the basis of regulatory submissions that began in 2022. Another study, the Hospitalized RSV Monoclonal Antibody Prevention (HARMONIE) trial[2], [3], was a large European interventional clinical trial in 250 sites and including over 8,000 infants aiming to determine the efficacy and safety of a single intramuscular (IM) dose of BEYFORTUS (<5 kg 50 mg; ≥5 kg 100 mg), compared to no intervention (standard of care), for the prevention of hospitalisations due to RSV-related LRTD in infants under 12 months of age who are not eligible to receive palivizumab. The data from HARMONIE show that BEYFORTUS reduced the incidence of hospitalisations due to RSV-related LRTD by 82.7% (95% CI: 67.8-91.5; p<0.0001) through 180 days after administration compared to no intervention, exceeding the typical length of the five-month RSV season. The high efficacy of 83.2% previously reported in the primary analysis was sustained over the longer follow-up period with no evidence of waning protection in infants born before or during the RSV season. BEYFORTUS maintained a favorable safety profile, consistent with clinical study results. [2], [3] About Sanofi Sanofi is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an innovative pipeline that could benefit millions more. Our team is guided by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people's lives; this inspires us to drive progress and deliver positive impact for our people and the communities we serve, by addressing the most urgent healthcare, environmental, and societal challenges of our time. For more information, visit Sanofi Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "plans" and similar expressions. Although Sanofi's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Sanofi, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, future clinical data and analysis, including post marketing, decisions by regulatory authorities, such as the FDA or the EMA, regarding whether and when to approve any drug, device or biological application that may be filed for any such product candidates as well as their decisions regarding labelling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of such product candidates, the fact that product candidates if approved may not be commercially successful, the future approval and commercial success of therapeutic alternatives, Sanofi's ability to benefit from external growth opportunities, to complete related transactions and/or obtain regulatory clearances, risks associated with intellectual property and any related pending or future litigation and the ultimate outcome of such litigation, trends in exchange rates and prevailing interest rates, volatile economic and market conditions, cost containment initiatives and subsequent changes thereto, and the impact that pandemics or other global crises may have on us, our customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and the financial condition of any one of them, as well as on our employees and on the global economy as a whole. The risks and uncertainties also include the uncertainties discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by Sanofi, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Sanofi's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022. Other than as required by applicable law, Sanofi does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. References Beyfortus® Product Prescribing Information for Singapore. Drysdale SB, Cathie K, Flamein F, Knuf M, Collins AM, Hill HC, Kaiser F, Cohen R, Pinquier D, Felter CT, Vassilouthis NC, Jin J, Bangert M, Mari K, Nteene R, Wague S, Roberts M, Tissières P, Royal S, Faust SN; HARMONIE Study Group. Nirsevimab for Prevention of Hospitalizations Due to RSV in Infants. N Engl J Med. 2023 Dec 28;389(26):2425-2435. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2309189. Munro APS, Drysdale SB, Cathie K, Flamein F, Knuf M, Collins AM, Hill HC, Kaiser F, Cohen R, Pinquier D, Vassilouthis NC, Carreno M, Moreau C, Bourron P, Marcelon L, Mari K, Roberts M, Tissières P, Royal S, Faust SN; HARMONIE Study Group. 180-day efficacy of nirsevimab against hospitalisation for respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infections in infants (HARMONIE): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2025 Jun;9(6):404-412. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00102-6. Walsh, EE. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: An Illness for All Ages. Clinics in Chest Medicine. 2017;38(1):29-36. Karron A. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines and Monoclonal antibodies. Orenstein W, Offit P, Edwards KM, Plotkin S. Plotkin's Vaccines, eighth edition: 998-1004. Elsevier 2023. Leader S, Kohlhase K. Recent trends in severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among US infants, 1997 to 2000. J Pediatr. 2003;143(5 Suppl):S127-S132. doi:10.1067/s00223476(03)00510-9. Zhou H, et al. Hospitalizations associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States, 1993-2008. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;54:1427–1436. Rha B, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Young Children: 2015-2016. Pediatrics. 2020;146:e20193611. Arriola CS, et al. Estimated Burden of Community-Onset Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Children Aged <2 Years in the United States, 2014-15. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2020;9:587-595 Tam CC, et al. Burden and Cost of Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Young Children, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jul;26(7):1489-1496 Goh, D.Y.T., Goh, A., Chen, C.K. et al. Expert consensus on the burden of respiratory syncytial virus disease and the utility of nirsevimab for disease prevention and protection of infants. World J Pediatr 21, 552–565 (2025). Li Y, et al. Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in children younger than 5 years in 2019: a systematic analysis. Lancet 2022;399:92047–64. Zhang S, et al. Cost of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Acute Lower Respiratory Infection Management in Young Children at the Regional and Global Level: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Infect Dis. 2020;222(Suppl 7):S680-687. Simões EAF, Madhi SA, Muller WJ, Atanasova V, Bosheva M, Cabañas F, Baca Cots M, Domachowske JB, Garcia-Garcia ML, Grantina I, Nguyen KA, Zar HJ, Berglind A, Cummings C, Griffin MP, Takas T, Yuan Y, Wählby Hamrén U, Leach A, Villafana T. Efficacy of nirsevimab against respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infections in preterm and term infants, and pharmacokinetic extrapolation to infants with congenital heart disease and chronic lung disease: a pooled analysis of randomised controlled trials. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023 Mar;7(3):180-189. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(22)00321-2. Epub 2023 Jan 9. Hammitt LL, Dagan R, Yuan Y, Baca Cots M, Bosheva M, Madhi SA, Muller WJ, Zar HJ, Brooks D, Grenham A, Wählby Hamrén U, Mankad VS, Ren P, Takas T, Abram ME, Leach A, Griffin MP, Villafana T; MELODY Study Group. Nirsevimab for Prevention of RSV in Healthy Late-Preterm and Term Infants. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 3;386(9):837-846. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2110275. Domachowske J, Madhi SA, Simões EAF, Atanasova V, Cabañas F, Furuno K, Garcia-Garcia ML, Grantina I, Nguyen KA, Brooks D, Chang Y, Leach A, Takas T, Yuan Y, Griffin MP, Mankad VS, Villafana T; MEDLEY Study Group. Safety of Nirsevimab for RSV in Infants with Heart or Lung Disease or Prematurity. N Engl J Med. 2022 Mar 3;386(9):892-894. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2112186. Issued on behalf of Sanofi Singapore by more information:Jar Wong | +65 9188 3227 | jar@ Han | +6012-2363 460 | janet@ View original content: SOURCE Sanofi Sign in to access your portfolio
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Should you drink apple cider vinegar? A dietitian outlines pros and cons
Bottoms up! This sour, tangy tonic could be the wellness add-on you need — here's what to know before trying it out. You're off to a great start: You're exercising daily, meeting your step goals and eating healthy. Looking for something else to bump up your health game? Consider adding apple cider vinegar to your diet. This pungent pantry staple is often mixed into salad dressings and other recipes, but it's also touted for its health benefits, including its role in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol as well as supporting gut health. I spoke with Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition, to find out how beneficial apple cider vinegar really is, and whether there are any risks involved with consuming it. Table of contents What are the health benefits of apple cider vinegar? Does apple cider vinegar help with weight loss? How much apple cider vinegar do you need daily? What's the best way to consume apple cider vinegar? What are the risks of consuming apple cider vinegar? (back to top) What are the health benefits of apple cider vinegar? Apple cider vinegar is made through the fermentation of apples (hence the name), and it contains vitamins B and C, acetic acid — helpful for killing harmful bacteria — and natural probiotics and antioxidants. Zumpano says apple cider vinegar can help improve your blood pressure, ease inflammation, promote gut health, and lower triglycerides and cholesterol, among other things. Lowers cholesterol Research has linked apple cider vinegar to a reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as fasting plasma glucose. It also helps raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, considered "good cholesterol" because it helps remove bad cholesterol from the bloodstream and lowers the risk of heart disease. Manages blood sugar The research referenced above also suggests that apple cider vinegar helps decrease fasting plasma glucose levels when it's consumed for more than eight weeks. Apple cider vinegar slows down the rate of digestion, slowing the body's release of glucose, Zumpano says. Supports gut health Since apple cider vinegar is a probiotic, it can support a healthy gut, Zumpano says. That means it promotes good bacteria in your gut that can help with bowel regularity, immune function and digestion, and sometimes guard against reflux, she says. Can be used as a disinfectant Outside the body, apple cider vinegar can kill certain types of pathogens, but not all germs, Zumpano says. Studies have found that it's effective in fighting off bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). (back to top) Does apple cider vinegar help with weight loss? There's not enough scientific evidence to prove apple cider vinegar aids weight loss, but Zumpano notes that the potential is there. A 2024 study conducted over three months found that participants who drank apple cider vinegar daily lost a significant amount of weight, lowered their body mass index (BMI), and lowered their levels of blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol compared with participants given a placebo. Other studies suggest that apple cider vinegar may act as a short-term appetite suppressant, but there's no evidence that it works long-term. If your main goal is weight loss, keep this in mind — and check out the best weight loss meal delivery services, as tested by nutritionists. (back to top) How much apple cider vinegar do you need daily? Great news: You don't have to drink a full glass of apple cider vinegar to reap the benefits. One or two tablespoons is enough, Zumpano says, and even less than that can be helpful. She says you can start with 1 teaspoon and work your way up to 1-2 tablespoons per day. (back to top) What's the best way to consume apple cider vinegar? More good news: You don't have to drink it alone (nor would you probably want to). Zumpano recommends mixing it with water to make it easier to stomach. You can either take it before eating or right after to help with digestion. "How you take it depends on how well you tolerate it and what your goal of taking it is," she says. You can also use apple cider vinegar to make homemade salad dressings or sauces, which is another way to mask the taste. In any case, apple cider vinegar is potent and should be diluted — it can lead to several risks if taken straight, Zumpano says. Pouring the recommended amount into a full glass of water should help. (back to top) What are the risks of consuming apple cider vinegar? In general, apple cider vinegar is safe to consume, but there are some risks to consider. As mentioned above, you should always dilute apple cider vinegar before you consume it because it's highly acidic. If you don't, it can damage the lining of your esophagus and even erode the enamel of your teeth, Zumpano says. This can also happen if you consume more than the recommended amount. Some people report gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, reflux or upset stomach, Zumpano adds. Apple cider vinegar can also lower potassium levels, which can interfere with certain medications, including digoxin, insulin and diuretic drugs. Since it lowers blood sugar levels, it can also interfere with diabetes medications. Again, while apple cider vinegar is safe to consume the right way — diluted, in small amounts — consult with your doctor to make sure it won't interfere with any medications you're taking or worsen any health complications you may have. (back to top) Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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The One Supplement To Avoid if You're a Woman Over 50, According to a Gerontological Nutritionist
The One Supplement To Avoid if You're a Woman Over 50, According to a Gerontological Nutritionist originally appeared on Parade. While the macro- and micronutrients the body needs to thrive are important no matter how old we are, the specifics of how much we need change over time. Babies, teenagers and pregnant women all have different nutritional needs, for the time you're 50, your dietary habits have long been in place. You know what foods your body thrives on and makes you feel your best. Similarly, you know which foods may be delicious in the moment, but make you feel not so great later. You probably also have some supplements as part of your routine to fill any gaps in your diet. After all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of adults in the U.S. take dietary supplements. While knowing what foods make you feel your best is helpful intel, it's important to know how nutritional needs change after 50 as well, which can also impact what supplements you're taking (or avoiding). There's one supplement in particular that can be especially detrimental to take if you are a woman 50 or older.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 The Supplement To Avoid After 50 According to Katie Dodd, RDN, a gerontological nutritionist (a registered dietitian specializing in geriatric health), many women don't realize that their iron needs change as they age. And if you are taking a high-dose iron supplement, you are likely getting too much, which can be dangerous.'The recommended daily allowance of iron varies based on age and gender," Dodd says. "Women between the ages of 14 and 50 require more iron due to menstruation. Iron needs decrease after age 50 due to menopause. Once menstruation ends, there is a lower need for iron. Women 50 and older need 8 milligrams of iron daily." Related: A quick Google search for iron supplements will show you that many contain 25 milligrams of the nutrient or more, which is significantly higher than what women 50 and older need, as Dodd has explained. 'Iron is an important nutrient for health, but too much can be detrimental. Taking a high-dose iron supplement can lead to iron toxicity,' she says. We need iron because it's required for oxygen transport and energy production. This is why not getting enough can make you feel fatigued. Iron is also important for immune health and maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails. But getting too much, regardless of age or overall need (Dodd says "too much" considered more than 45 milligrams for women 19 and older), is dangerous. 'Taking too much iron can cause gastrointestinal issues, including stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, taking too much iron can result in hospitalization or even death,' she explains. Related: To avoid this, it's important to be mindful of your iron intake, both through food and supplements. This doesn't mean you shouldn't eat iron-containing foods. On the contrary, eating these foods is important (and it's worth reiterating that the body needs iron to function—you just want to make sure you're not overdoing it). Other Ways Nutritional Needs Change After 50 Needing less iron isn't the only nutritional change that happens after 50. Dodd says that it's also important to tweak your protein intake. Unlike with iron, we need more protein as we age, not less. This, Dodd explains, is to help prevent muscle loss, which naturally occurs with age. If you're 50 or older, aim for consuming between 1.2 and 1.6 milligrams of protein per kilogram of body weight a day. For example, if you weigh 165 pounds, this means getting between 90 and 120 kilograms of protein a To protect against bone loss (like with muscle, bone loss also happens naturally with age), Dodd says it's important to up intake in vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12. 'Absorption of vitamin B12 through food sources decreases with age,' she explains, adding this is another reason why it's important to get more of it after 50. Aim to get 600 IU of vitamin D, 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 a day. Age isn't the only factor that determines a person's nutritional needs. Dodd recommends consulting a registered dietitian for guidance on what to eat depending on your health goals, also taking into account any underlying health conditions you may have and your health history. As far as supplements go, they're there to fill any nutritional gaps in your diet, and should mostly be used to address known deficiencies. So, remember to reevaluate your supplement routine over time. Just like your diet, it may require a little tweaking as you age. Up Next:Sources Katie Dodd, RDN, gerontological nutritionist (registered dietitian specializing in geriatric health) Dietary Supplement Use Among Adults: United States, 2017-2018. National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iron. National Institutes of Health Review on iron and its importance for human of Research in Medical Sciences. 2014 Iron: a cosmetic constituent but an essential nutrient for healthy Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2001 Protein Consumption and the Elderly: What Is the Optimal Level of Intake?Nutrients. 2016 Protein Needs for Adults 50+. Stanford Aging and bone loss: new insights for the Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. 2012 Vitamin D. Mayo Clinic Calcium and calcium supplements: Achieving the right balance. Mayo Clinic Vitamin B12. National Institutes of Health The One Supplement To Avoid if You're a Woman Over 50, According to a Gerontological Nutritionist first appeared on Parade on Aug 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
