Supplements are controversial among wellness professionals. I happen to be very pro-supplement.
Given our levels of stress, toxicity in the environment, and suboptimal diets, we can get huge benefits from taking good quality vitamins and supplements.
However, with so many different supplements out there, how do you know which ones you should be taking, and if they are giving you the nutrients you need?
Below are 4 supplements that can benefit everyone.
Multivitamin and mineral
Even if we eat an ultra healthy diet, we are probably not getting optimum levels of nutrients. Most people do not get the recommended 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Even if you did, most produce is grown in nutrient depleted soil, which means that the vitamin and mineral content is lacking.
To ensure you’re getting enough nutrients for your body, and good quality multivitamin and mineral is essential. Most quality multivitamins do not come in a ‘once a day’ pill. Look for a brand that is scientifically balanced.
By this, I mean it will dissolve and absorb properly in your body, so your cells can use the nutrients. So often, supplements you buy at the store are not in a form that can be broken down and absorbed by your body, so you are getting no benefit. Do your research before throwing your money away.
Omega-3
A good omega-3 supplement offers so many benefits. It promotes heart health, joint health, breast and prostate health, brain and nerve health, and aids in pregnancy. The important forms of omega-3 are EPA and DHA.
Many experts recommend that adults should consume 1 gram (1000 mg) of EPA/DHA per day for good health. Fish is a great source of omega 3s but there is increasing concern about mercury and other toxins found in fish. Therefore, a good quality omega-3 supplement is essential to incorporate into your daily regimen.
Vitamin D
Most of us are deficient in vitamin D because we work indoors and wear sunscreen when we are outside. We simply do not have enough sun exposure to get an adequate amount of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to our health and wellbeing. It aids in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. It also helps with the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorous.
For most people, the current recommendation of 400 IU per day is simply not enough. Experts tend to recommend between 1000 IU- 5000 IU per day for most people. There are different forms of vitamin D, so make sure your supplement contains vitamin D3. If you are curious whether or not you are vitamin D deficient, you can get a simple blood test called 25-hydroxy Vitamin D.
Probiotic
A good probiotic is essential for healthy digestive function. Our gut is comprised of trillions of good bacteria that aid in digestion. We actually have more bacteria in our body than we do cells! As we age, we lose some of our good bacteria, and we experience digestive complications.
Also, certain medications, such as antibiotics can kill off good bacteria and leave your system out of balance. Replenishing your gut with healthy bacteria is necessary for optimal health.
Finding a good, broad-spectrum probiotic can help improve gut function and digestion. This will leave you feeling healthier, happier, and more energetic.
For those of you who have considered adding supplements to your daily routine, I hope this gives you a good starting place. I would love to hear from you. Do you take supplements? If so, which ones do you find to be the most important? Why do you take them?
I am not a doctor, and the opinions above are simply based on my experience and research. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on the importance of supplements.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
Published January 7, 2013 at 12:03 PM
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