Vitamins and supplements have been around for a long time. But it is only recently that people have started taking them seriously. However, many theories are circulating the internet, each quoting different things. This confuses the people on whether they should incorporate the supplements in their daily diets.
Well, you should consult your health care professionals and assess your overall health before incorporating bodybuilding into your diet. They will advise on what kind of supplements you need and how much you need.
However, one must know what kind of supplements are there and when they need them.
Moreover, the brand of supplements you choose matters as well. It is always recommended to choose a brand that is tested rigorously. Brands like Lions Mane Eternum Labs are considered the best since they invest heavily in the research and development of their products.
Here are some reasons why supplements are important for your health and what vitamins you must take daily.
Why are supplements important?
The body needs a stipulated amount of essential nutrients and vitamins to function properly. But, with the modern and fast-paced life, the focus has shifted from healthy diets to convenient and easy fast or processed foods.
Processed and fast food often lack the nutrients one needs. In addition, other ailments restrict people to meet their daily nutritional needs even if they consume a well-balanced diet.
However, depending solely on supplements to fill the nutritional gap is an unhealthy way. The aim should be to get enough vitamins and minerals from the food you eat, with supplements providing you with the additional nutrients that your body may be lacking.
Types of supplements
There are a variety of supplements in the market, and each serves a different purpose.
- Conventional vitamins and minerals such as the ‘letter’ vitamins like A, B, C and B1.
- Specific nutrient supplements that are found in food items such as Omega 3.
- Supplements containing antioxidant components like amino acids.
- Non-food essential compounds like melatonin.
Besides these supplements, there are some herbs and adaptogens like Ashwagandha that are used. But commonly, vitamin and mineral supplements are incorporated into daily diets as they are considered vital micronutrients.
When do you need supplements?
The main objective of taking supplements is to improve your overall health. Supplements can help you gain more nutrients than you will get from your food alone.
Here are some of the common reasons why people take supplements.
- As you get older, your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals reduces. So, taking supplements can help you get more nutrients.
- Certain lifestyle factors demand more nutrients or deplete them, making it essential to fill the gap with supplements.
- If you consume unhealthy food items that lack nutrients, taking supplements is your best bet to provide your body with nutrients to function properly.
- It is often noted that people who are vegan or vegetarian lack Vitamin B12. The only way they can attain this vitamin is through supplementation.
- Medical conditions like colitis or celiac disease or an eating disorder may hamper your ability to absorb nutrients. So, additional supplements are required to keep the body functioning.
Five most common supplements you can take
1. Multivitamin
Everyone can reap the benefits of multivitamins. Consuming multivitamins is a great way to fulfil your daily nutritional needs without taking different pills. While there are plenty of multivitamins in the market, each having a diverse blend of vitamins. So, choose a label or brand that offers the vitamins you need in a larger ratio.
For instance, if there is a history of prostate cancer in your family, consider buying a multivitamin that offers lutein.
2. Fish oil
Fish oil has recently made a name for itself for being beneficial in preventing heart disease. However, there are many people and professionals who question the efficacy of fish oil. But, you can reap benefits from the Omega-3s present in the fish oil.
The omega-3s provide your body with a healthy amount of ‘good cholesterol’, also known as HDL (high-density lipoprotein). This can improve your metabolism and help your body to absorb more nutrients from your diet intake.
When choosing a fish oil, ensure you pick the one with a high amount of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
3. Lion’s Mane
This supplement is extracted from a species of mushroom called Lion’s mane or Hericium Erinaceus, as called by scientists. You can boost your brain functioning, productivity, attention, and general well-being by taking Lion’s Mane mushroom supplements.
Lion’s mane is especially beneficial for the fight against Dementia, it can help to reduce the symptoms of dementia and ease the life of people suffering from it.
In addition, the supplements affect the hippocampus (a region of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotional responses) and can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Besides the cognitive benefits, Lion’s mane can boost your immunity as well by aiding the intestinal immune system.
4. Calcium
Calcium intake is necessary for the bones, teeth, muscles, and nerve impulse transmission. If you have a calcium deficiency, it forces your body to take calcium from the bones to make up for the deficit in other body parts. In the long run, this leads to brittle bones, osteoporosis, and fractures. Aside from calcium supplements, you can strengthen your teeth when you get fillings with dentist in oakbrook terrace.
Women after menopause are more susceptible to suffer from lack of calcium owing to lack of estrogen. This leads to a weaker bone density after menopause. Since estrogen functions to absorb calcium, the lack of it makes it difficult for the body to absorb calcium.
So, consuming calcium supplements is especially important for women to achieve their daily 1500 to 2000 mg intake of calcium through a mix of supplements and food.
5. Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Thiamine or Vitamin B1 is one of the eight B complex vitamins. Commonly, Vitamin B1 is derived from animal-sourced food items, so vegans and vegetarians often lack this vitamin. In case of a deficiency, it may lead to beriberi which causes problems to the nervous system. Moreover, people with Vitamin B1 deficiency are more prone to weight loss and anorexic conditions. A daily dose of thiamine will improve your energy levels, boost your metabolism, improve focus and support the functioning of your nervous system.
Before consuming supplements, keep in mind, they do not replace a healthy, well-balanced diet but act as an aid to your diet. Your daily diet and supplement intake must work hand-in-hand to provide you with the essential nutrients.
