Walking into any vitamin store with walls of health supplements and dietary pills can be intimidating and overwhelming. Many of us aren’t sure whether we need to take supplements, and if we do, which ones out of the thousands of bottles on the wall we should purchase?
Each individual has different health needs; likewise, each person will have different supplementary needs. First and foremost, it is necessary to understand that supplements should not replace healthy dietary needs. Never replace supplements for the food that will naturally provide the nutrients to replenish your body. Supplements, as their name implies, add nutrients where a healthful diet falls short.
Our Supplements 101 blog post introduced you to the basics of supplements.
We have now brought you a little cheat sheet of how different nutrients work in your body and the most common users of these supplements.
• A great place to start is a daily multivitamin. Particularly, a “targeted” multivitamin that is intended for your gender and age group works best. As a general rule of thumb, these multivitamins usually contain vitamins B, A, C, D, E, and K.
• B-12 is a crucial nutrient that keeps the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy. If you have dietary restrictions involving dairy, shellfish, or meat, or if you regularly consume alcohol, B-12 is the supplement for you. We offer B-12 injections here at DreamBody Medical Centers. Read more about them here:
https://www.dreambodycenters.com/services/b-12-injections/
• Calcium supplements are highly recommended for anyone over 50 years old as bone health issues become more prevalent at this age.
• In Arizona, fish isn’t commonly on the dinner menu. Fish oil contains an omega-3 fatty acid that is a superhero of a nutrient. Fish oil is most commonly used for conditions related to the heart and blood system, but it is also beneficial for pain and swelling prevention, weight loss prevention, and more.
• Iron deficiency is a very common issue for women, which can lead to fatigue and a lagging immune system. Iron supplements are often recommended for women, but too much iron is not good for you, so make sure you speak to your doctor about which supplement dosage is right for you.
• Folic acid is a crucial supplement for expecting mothers to prevent defects in the fetus during early stages of development. This nutrient is found in leafy greens, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains.
• Coenzyme Q10 is not a commonly-mentioned vitamin, but it’s an important supplement for those taking medications specifically for high cholesterol. Most cholesterol drugs deplete CoQ10 levels, and CoQ10 is necessary to create energy.
• Zinc is a nutrient that aids the immune system and is crucial for the cold and flu season. Shorten up the sniffle season by making sure your immunity is strengthened by zinc.
• Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that most doctors measure during a physical examination. Vitamin D is most naturally absorbed through fatty fish and exposure to sunlight, but many cereals, dairy products, and juices are “fortified with vitamin D,” meaning vitamin D has been added to these products. Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, boosts immune system functions, and helps treat skin conditions. Make sure to ask your doctor about your level at your next visit because this nutrient is essential for everybody.
• Our friend Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and cruciferous vegetables. This nutrient acts as an antioxidant that protects us from harmful environmental factors like air pollution, cigarette smoke, and more. Again, this vitamin is universally necessary because we are exposed to harmful pollutants each day, so supplements are needed if you do not consume enough vitamin C daily.
There are plenty more supplements that your body needs, but these may help you create a basic outline of questions to start asking your doctor. Book your consultation with DreamBody today and we can help you discover which supplements are right for you.
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