Urban women today are not nutritionally careless. They are nutritionally stretched. Between long work hours, chronic stress, irregular eating patterns, sleep deprivation, and constant digital exposure, the body is under sustained pressure.
Even when meals appear balanced on paper, they may not fully meet the body’s changing physiological needs.
Global estimates from the World Health Organisation show that more than two billion people worldwide suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Women of reproductive age are consistently identified as a high-risk group.
The issue is not always food availability, but the gap between intake and actual requirements in high-stress, high-demand lifestyles.
Akshita Singla, Co-Founder of Akya Wellness and a certified nutritional coach, says supplements should not be viewed as replacements for food. Instead, they act as buffers against predictable lifestyle-induced gaps.
Chronic stress increases the body’s need for magnesium and B vitamins. Poor sleep disrupts glucose metabolism and hormonal balance. Over time, these small imbalances can affect energy levels, mood stability, metabolic health, and recovery.
However, taking supplements is not a magic fix. One of the biggest reasons supplements fail to deliver results is bioavailability, the body’s ability to absorb and utilise nutrients effectively.
Global nutrition frameworks led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation emphasise that nutrient intake alone does not determine nutritional status. Absorption and utilisation matter equally.
Indian data support this concern. Reports from the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau show that micronutrient deficiencies persist even when average intake appears sufficient.
Diets that are cereal-heavy, common across South Asia, contain phytates that reduce mineral absorption, especially iron, zinc, and calcium.
There is also a widespread belief that higher doses compensate for poor absorption. In reality, the body absorbs nutrients within defined physiological limits. Excess quantities are often excreted and do not translate into better outcomes.
Nutrients also interact with each other.
Some compete for absorption, while others depend on one another to work effectively.
The goal, experts say, is not nutritional perfection but functional stability. Can energy remain steady without constant stimulants? Can hormones stay balanced despite irregular schedules?
Can recovery improve even when rest is limited? When supplements are chosen carefully, in the right form and dose, they can help bridge the gap between ideal nutrition and real life.
Sustainable health is built by understanding human limits, not ignoring them. Supplements work best when they are science-backed, context-driven, and part of a larger lifestyle strategy that includes diet, sleep, and stress management.
