Supplements

Nutritional supplements are products meant to supplement the food we eat. Supplements can come in the form of a tablet, pill, or liquid form and contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, or amino acids.

Ideally, we would get all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids we need for optimal health from fresh, nutritional food. Realistically, however, this is often difficult, and sometimes impossible due to the depletion of minerals in soils today.

Supplements whether they be herbal, nutritional, vitamin, mineral or amino acids--can help increase your daily intake of certain nutrients and leave you feeling energized and in control of your health.

So what do these different types of dietary supplements mean to you? Below are some examples of what supplements can be used for.

Uses of Supplements:

Calcium Supplement:

For those who don’t regularly consume dairy products and for postmenopausal women, it is used to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Calcium supplements are also required for healthy muscles, bones, and teeth.

Folic Acid (Folate):

Women planning to become pregnant and women of childbearing age need this supplement to help in the prevention of birth defects. It is also said that folate is a preventative measure in promoting heart health and preventing cataracts.

Iron Supplement:

Iron supplementation is used by pregnant women and those who suffer from anemia and can help with malnutrition.

Magnesium Supplement:

Magnesium is necessary to form healthy bones and teeth. A magnesium supplement should be taken daily for those who don’t eat vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. If you are magnesium deficient you may suffer from migraine headaches.

Vitamin B12 Supplement:

Because Vitamin B12 is only available from animal sources, vegetarians should take this vitamin supplement. Vitamin B12 is also beneficial in the prevention of nerve damage and is important for normal growth and developmental patterns.

Vitamin D Supplement:

Add a Vitamin D supplement to your Calcium for absorption and to further protect against osteoporosis. Research has also suggested that Vitamin D may protect against cancer, autoimmune diseases, and high blood pressure.

As most of us know, a balanced diet of fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables along with regular exercise is essential for good health. However, some researchers believe that certain nutrients are deficient in soil, and as a result, the food we consume may be lacking in some nutrients? Because plants can not manufacture nutrients, the soil that was once enriched with nutrients may be depleted.

Supplements can help make up for a deficiency of essential nutrients in the foods we eat, as well as give us an additional health boost.

Studies conducted over recent years have shown the scientific community that both men and women fail to meet the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for a number of important nutrients. These nutrients are essential to our growth, cell repair and renewal, and our physical well being.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has indicated that at least 40 percent of the people in this country routinely consume a diet containing only 60 percent of the RDA of each necessary nutrient. This means that close to half of the population suffers from a deficiency of at least one important nutrient!

Benefits of taking Supplements:

There are many, many benefits associated with nutritional supplements. We take supplements for a variety of reasons. From our heart and mind to our joints and bones; just about any ailment we suffer from has a supplement to help alleviate the symptoms.

A few benefits of taking supplements include:

  • Increased energy in body and mind
  • Therapeutic effects
  • Improve physical performance
  • Build muscle
  • Relieving stress and fatigue
  • Aiding in detoxification and in overcoming addiction
  • Elevating your overall mood

In general, everyone can benefit from supplements, especially those with poor appetites or irregular eating habits as supplements provide extra insurance of obtaining the nutrients essential for good health.

Supplements should not be used as a replacement for proper nutrition. They’re intended to complement our diet so we can get the minimum (or maximum) amount of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids needed for a healthy body and active life.

It is important to always follow the directions and dosage information accompanying the supplement. If there is none, consult a qualified healthcare professional to answer any questions prior to use.