Keep reading to learn why health supplements are important for your overall wellness and discover the top 3 supplements that you should be taking.
If you are new to the world of health supplements, then you may be a little overwhelmed with all the options out there. You probably also have tons of questions like what are the best vitamins for the body? What health supplements should I take every day? Which brand of supplements is the best? And of course, do vitamins and supplements really work?
Sound familiar? If so, then this post is a must-read for you. We will go over the basics of supplementing for good health. Plus, we are going to talk about the top 3 supplements you need to know about.
This post will clear up any confusion you may have and will also give you all the information you need to choose the best supplements for you. Let’s get started.
The Top 3 Health Supplements You Should Know About
Should I Take Supplements?
Many people argue that vitamins and supplements offer no additional benefits and are essentially a waste of your money. They argue that well-nourished populations, such as those in the Western world, should already be getting all the nutrients they need from their “healthy” diets.
We certainly agree that well-nourished individuals do not need synthetic vitamins and supplements. However, we do think it’s a pretty far stretch to say that all Western populations are well-nourished and are eating wholesome and nutrient-dense foods regularly.
Let’s be real. It can be hard to maintain a perfect diet, filled with organic vegetables, fruits and grass-fed, drug-free meat. If you look at the typical American diet, for example, you will find tons of sugary drinks, fatty foods (not the good kind), and other unhealthy foods maxed out in empty calories. We’re not sure about you, but we don’t consider this “well-nourished”.
Thankfully, supplements can help with this. Though we should always strive to get our nutrients through the food we eat, sometimes we do need to supplement to “fill in the nutrient gaps”.
What are the Benefits of Taking Health Supplements?
You've heard the saying, "We are what we eat." Today with modern life and processed foods, supplements can help you achieve or maintain a healthy body.
In addition to eating a nutritious diet, regularly taking vitamins and supplements benefits your mind and body in many ways. Here are some great reasons to add nutritional supplementation as part of your daily wellness routine.
Boost Your Nutrient Intake
Health supplements are not only good for the body but also for the mind as they provide positive energy. They can easily balance out a bad diet or lack of vitamins and minerals from food alone. In fact, some supplements are good for both body and mind.
Manage Your Stress & Energy Levels
There are times when people need a little boost, something extra that will help them stay focused, increase their energy or reduce stress levels. By using health supplements, people improve their overall well-being.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Health supplements can help individuals enjoy life to its fullest and provide nutrients that would otherwise not be obtainable through diet alone, allowing people to lead a healthy life.
Improve Your Immune System
The body has millions of cells all functioning together and sometimes the cells can be damaged by free radicals or other toxins. Health supplements help provide the necessary nutrients to keep the immune system strong and able to fight these harmful agents.
The Top 3 Supplements You Should Consider
1. Omega-3
Omega-3 essential fatty acids play a vital role in maintaining good health. Specifically, these fats help prevent brain-cell damage, improve brain function, and support skin and cardiovascular health.
Since our bodies cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids, it is crucial that we get enough through our diet. You can do this by eating foods such as free-range eggs and wild Pacific salmon. You can also try adding a good-quality omega-3 supplement to your daily wellness regimen.
2. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is commonly referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”, since it is primarily produced within our bodies in response to exposure to sunlight. This important vitamin helps our bodies absorb and use calcium, which helps strengthen and support our bones and teeth. Additionally, vitamin D can also help boost your mood! (And who doesn’t want that?)
Vitamin D can be found in foods such as oily fish, egg yolks, and foods that have been fortified with vitamin D (soy milk, cereals, etc.). If you aren’t getting enough of these foods or if you don’t get too much sunlight exposure (due to working indoors or living somewhere with minimal sunlight), you might want to consider supplementing with vitamin D.
If you live in Canada (or have visited during the winter), you certainly know the struggle and would definitely benefit from a little extra “sunshine vitamin” in your life.
3. Probiotics
The human body is filled with bacteria. Our gut health, which greatly affects our overall well-being, depends on the balance between the “friendly” bacteria and the... “not-so-friendly” bacteria.
When we are out of balance, we begin to see digestive issues, poor immune functioning, weight gain, skin problems, and mood imbalances. Probiotics contain large amounts of “friendly” bacteria, which can help keep our insides functioning the way they should.
You can get probiotics from food and from supplements. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut.
Wrapping Up
We hope, this post provided you with a good understanding of the fundamental role that health supplements can play in your journey to a healthier life. We believe that a healthy diet, combined with appropriate supplementing, can help you operate at your fullest potential. If you are a little unsure about when and how to take your supplements, check out this informative article by Jamieson.
