Our growing body demands a sufficient balance of all the necessary minerals & nutrients, available for its effective functioning. However, the lack of a balanced diet, busy lifestyle, or simply lack of diet fails to add the body’s right amount of nutrients. Further, it is common to lose out on specific nutrients that our diets fail to nourish us with (vitamins or minerals that cannot be obtained via our food). Once the body starts losing the ideal content over such essentials, it starts developing deficiencies, leading to diseases in the long run.
What could be the key to keeping a balance of all the essential nutrient counts in our system?
The answer is simple, Supplements! These substances add the elements that our diet lacks, nourishing the body with a balance of all essential nutrients.
However, most people tend to get confused with the variety of options available when it comes to selecting one. Well, here’s a secret: you need to select targeted supplements to meet the nutritional intake your body lacks.
Still confused about the ideal supplement for you? Stick to the piece to understand the type of supplements you need to include in your daily life. Let’s get started!
How to Choose Targeted Supplements to Get the Most Out of it
●Vitamin A for Immunity, Reproductive System and Good Vision
Night blindness, delayed growth, infertility or trouble in conceiving, inadequate immune response, dry and acne-prone skin are some of the diseases caused by Vitamin A deficiency. It is evident that vitamin A is responsible for many functions in the body, and lack of it can significantly harm your health.
Suppose you suffer from any of the mentioned conditions. In that case, you should immediately consult with your doctor or prescribe you a form of Vitamin A. Vitamin supplements should be consumed with daily meals to impact your health positively.
●Vitamin D for Bone Strength, Improved Immunity and Muscle Functions
Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins for your overall health. It is required for bone formation, and metabolism and deficiency of it can cause diseases like osteoporosis. Apart from helping in bone formation, it is also responsible for healthy immune function and inflammation response.
It is evident that vitamin D is a necessary ingredient that we need in our daily diet, and lack of it could cause various harms. It is believed that supplements containing vitamin D often have harmful toxins, so you should always consult with your doctor before choosing a brand for vitamin D supplements.
●Vitamin C for Antioxidant Properties and Boosting Immunity
Unlike vitamin D, our body cannot produce vitamin C. We depend on fruits, vegetables, and supplements to acquire our daily required vitamin C.
Further, it plays a significant role in fighting free radical damage, boosting immunity, and producing glutathione (an essential antioxidant) in our body.
While there might be fruits and vegetables available in abundance, but sometimes the body can still get an optimal vitamin C amount. This is where vitamin C supplements come into play. Now, vitamin C supplements are inherently known to be safe. Still, it is wise to talk with a doctor before starting the intake of these supplements.
●Magnesium For Boosting Brain Function and Energy
Magnesium deficiency can be a cause for concern because apparently, a hefty percentage of the entire population faces it. Muscle cramps, nausea, and headaches are some of the acute symptoms of magnesium deficiency. In regards to it, there are a lot of brands available in the market that produce magnesium supplements.
Any energy boost supplement might contain magnesium and calcium as both are responsible for boosting energy and brain function. As you grow older, it becomes impossible to gain magnesium’s daily required intake from your regular diet. So, it becomes necessary to consume magnesium supplements and the diet as per the physician’s instructions.
●Iodine for Immunity, Brain Function, and Thyroid
Iodine is required for healthy metabolism and thyroid function. People who exercise a lot and are always doing some or other physical activity are at a high risk of deficiency as iodine is released through sweat. For gym-goers, it is recommended to have iodine supplements to keep their metabolism and thyroid function intact. Of course, it is advisable to supplement with iodine after getting a consultation from their physician.
Supplements 101: The Fundamentals
The right way to consume them:
The only suggested way to consume supplements is after consulting with your nutritionist or healthcare expert. People starting with a new diet and exercise regime should also consult their physician to note what they should eat. When you begin a new exercise regime or a diet, your body struggles to adjust to your new routine from the previous one. You might need certain healthy and energy supplements to keep you alright in this stage during this time.
Different types of supplement:
Supplements are made for varying needs. Certain supplements are made to boost immunity, while others are designed to nourish the body of any specific deficiency that leads to health conditions like exhaustion, sleepiness, and insomnia. Overall, the key is to consume the daily requirement of protein, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep our bodies up and running.
Category of people who can use supplements:
A majority of people consider them forbidden or restricted to professionals. Interestingly, you don’t have to be a gym addict, sportsperson, or endurance athlete to consume them. Supplements can be used by anyone who seeks to achieve a physical peak and maintain an active & healthy lifestyle. Now that we know what & who can consume them, let’s move to the next part.
I consume multivitamins; do I still need supplements?
Yes, most multivitamins are marketed over a ‘single’ formula, making it in-efficient to meet the nutritional needs of people of different ages, sex, and body type. A mother with kids can’t be having the same nutritional needs as a young adult. Therefore, it’s always better to consume supplements for different body needs.
Final Words
Supplements work like a charm for your health. Further, supplements are an unregulated industry, making them different for different producers. Therefore, it is always advisable that you either buy them from a vitamin supplement store or reach out for an online store, once you have consulted your doctor and discussed the supplements you should take.
