Nutritional supplements are easy enough to come by and have been in the market for purchase and consumption for what seems like forever. But are they effective in adding benefits to a healthy lifestyle?
It isn’t easy to reach all your daily nutritional needs through fresh and healthy meals when adopting a healthier lifestyle. Everyone also needs to consider the role that physical activity, age, genetics, nutrition, and physical activity play in whether or not natural supplements will help.
However, if you’re concerned about your nutritional needs or know you’re not getting enough specific vitamins and minerals, natural supplements could be the best way to help support a healthy lifestyle.
The Role of Natural Supplements
Dietary or natural supplements are available in many forms – liquids, powders, gummies, and tablets are the most common. They are ways to increase the intake of nutrients or vitamins you need daily. Most supplements contain minerals, vitamins, herbs, enzymes, and amino acids.
Some of the more common natural supplements that people consume include the following:
- Vitamin B12 (energy production)
- Vitamin A (heart health)
- Vitamin C (immune health)
- Vitamin D (to absorb Calcium)
- Fish Oil (muscle activity and cell growth)
- Calcium (bone health)
- Protein (muscle repair)
- Magnesium (metabolic function)
- Probiotics (digestive health)
- Antioxidants (cell protection)
- Daily Multivitamins
Nutrient Deficiency
A deficit in one or more of these nutrients can cause health problems and affect your daily lifestyle and overall health. If you’re concerned you have a nutritional deficiency, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Digestion problems
- Dry skin or hair (breakage, brittle)
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscle weakness
There is much to consider when you’re examining your nutrient requirements. A healthy, well-balanced diet is crucial to your health, especially if you exercise.
If you’re on a restrictive diet, following a food program, or eliminating foods or food groups, you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional, like a Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist. They can discuss how to meet your nutritional requirements and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
Why Natural Supplements?
Over 30% of Americans lack at least one vitamin or mineral. Nutritional supplements are there to close those dietary gaps and help maintain, enhance, and strengthen the nutrient amount in your body.
If you experience a health problem like celiac disease or lactose intolerance, your body has more difficulty absorbing the vitamins and minerals necessary for your healthy lifestyle. Taking antibiotics and growing older can also contribute to malabsorption. Your body doesn’t break down to take in the nutrients the same way.
Likewise, even if you’re a fitness enthusiast or healthy eater, you may still be missing nutrients. Consider those who go into a deficit to help drop some weight or do a cleanse for gut health. Some people are dealing with more severe health problems, like nutrient allergies and even eating disorders. It’s highly likely that certain daily nutrients will go missing.
Natural supplements prevent the loss of essential vitamins and minerals. Each supplement has its benefits, and your doctor or healthcare professional can help you by recommending the most beneficial supplements to improve your health.
Another benefit of natural supplements is that they can help beyond just providing nutrients. They allow you to sleep better, improve your immune system, and even balance your moods.
What Natural Supplement Is Best?
Before you start incorporating natural supplements into your daily routine, have a discussion with a professional. It’s necessary to know if certain supplements can interact with medications you may already be taking, and your doctor can work with you to tell you just how much or how often to take these supplements.
Not all natural supplements will work for every person, so it’s necessary to discover what nutrients you need before beginning a supplement regimen. The supplements you take should be there to help optimize your healthy lifestyle.