Nobody wants to lug around a huge pillbox all day, but let's face it: Our bodies do not produce certain nutrition adequately, and we're not making sure the foods we eat are fortified with the necessary supplements.

Even if you eat a proper diet on a meal-to-meal basis, there may be minerals your body rids itself of quickly or a specific condition you must cater to. Supplemental vitamins ensure you are meeting nutrition requirements that your body has set. If the age-old octogenarian pillbox doesn't work for you, invest in something cuter, smaller or more colorful, because you will need it.


1. Echinacea
People commonly grab a bottle of echinacea off the shelves when they feel a cold coming, but this supplement is not only useful when you start to feel a little scratch in your throat. Studies have proven that echinacea does not actually treat a common cold, but it does release chemicals that lessen inflammation.

Unlike most supplements, echinacea is not available in foods and must be taken in pill form or steeped in hot water. Try Natrol Echinacea Goldenseal, $6.99 for 90, vitaminshoppe.com.
2. Biotin
For every woman that recently went natural, biotin has become a part of every meal you devour throughout the day, because drooling over photos of Yaya DaCosta, Melanie Brown and YouTube's favorite Kimmaytube just won't cut it. Biotin is a protein that supports the health of the skin, nerves, digestive tract, metabolism and cells. Try Nature's Bounty Biotin, $5.99, drugstore.com.
3. Vitamin D
According to drweil.com, producers of Weil Vitamin D, this vitamin, which is abundant in milk, assists in the absorption of calcium and promotes bone mineralization. Andrew Weil, M.D., an international leader in natural and preventive medicine, recommends that people take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D per day. If milk's not your thing, try Weil's Vitamin D, $9.99, walgreens.com.
4. Folic Acid
Folic acid produces red blood cells for the body, which prevents anemia, but medical professionals suggest women of childbearing age consume 400 mcg daily to prevent birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. According to this article on WebMD, these conditions prevent the baby's brain from completely developing and oftentimes leave them paralyzed for life.

Nature Made Folic Acid can be found at numerous retailers for around $6.85 a bottle, but if you're not into pill popping, drink orange juice often -- it's rich in folic acid.
5. Omega-3 Fish Oil
Depending on your daily food choices, fish oil tablets may need to be added to your pillbox. Fish oil, and cold water fish, is a primary source for Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids regulate cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing artery clogs and reducing triglycerides, which are chemical fats in foods. Try Puritan's Pride Fish Oil tablets, $9.99, puritan.com. 6. Multivitamins
Kill plenty of birds with one multivitamin stone. Multivitamins contain many of the supplements recommended for women to take each day including Vitamins C, E and B12 as well as thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid.

According to consumersearch.com, a Website that evaluates consumer reviews in online marketplaces, many people that used Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women Multivitamins found it gave them an energy boost and enjoyable feelings. Opti-Women Multivitamins, $21.99, optimumnutrition.com.