Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may still be lacking some necessary vitamins or nutrients. With the poor quality of food and the ever-present toxins, many of us still need some extra supplements.
But which supplements should we take? What you need depends on your own specific needs; what you are lacking and what areas you need to boost. Here are some of the most common supplements and what they can help with.
Fish oil. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that help to lower your body’s triglycerides, which can lead to heart disease or stroke. It also helps to keep your healthy cholesterol in check and supports bone health.
Vitamin D. This vitamin helps to support the immune system and may actually help prevent autoimmune disease. It can also help keep your bones strong and regulate conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Iron. Iron is essential for preventing anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, resulting in weariness. Foods highest in iron are organ meats. If you aren’t keen on liver, iron is also found in lean meat, leafy veggies and nuts. If you don’t eat a lot of these, an iron supplement may help.
Magnesium. This mineral helps your body function. It helps regulate your blood pressure, keep your bones strong and steady your heart rhythm. Adults who don’t consume enough magnesium tend to have high inflammation markers in the body.
Probiotic. Technically not a vitamin or mineral, probiotics are useful in keeping your gut healthy. What are probiotics? Well, they are good bacteria. Our digestive systems house both good and bad bacteria, but when they get out of balance, we experience issues like stomach problems or worse.
Glutamine. Also called L-Glutamine, this essential amino acid that can possibly help improve digestion, promote muscle growth, improve metabolism and boost immunity.
Vitamin C. You probably already know that vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables. This essential vitamin helps to regenerate tissues and protect you against heart disease. It is also said to combat free radicals, helping keep you healthy.
Even with a great diet, we could all use a supplement or two. This list contains some of the most commonly taken vitamins and minerals, and what they can help with.