[Micronutritional requirements during women's life]

The recommended nutrition requirements differ according to the age and sex as well as to physiological events and life habits of women. Whereas the role of antioxidants in the slowing of metabolic aging or reduction of the consequences of the stress is widely stated in the media, scientifically established benefits are less well known, such as the role played by the antioxidants on the phaners and the tegumental resistance to ultraviolet aggressions or the major role played by the antioxidants in the fight against opacity of lens and macular degeneration. Folates have a well-known preventive action on the prevention of abnormal closing of the neural tube, on the reduction of the risks of hypotrophy and prematurity during pregnancy. The reduction of hyperhomocysteinemia by vitamin B9 participates actively in the reduction of the cardiovascular risk. As the benefits expected are documented and needed daily doses higher than those brought by a balanced diet, or too often assumed as such, mineral-vitamin supplementation of women living in developed countries appears to warranted.