Unfortunately, our food supply in the United States is rife with issues these days. Issues that are beyond the scope of this particular article.
Suffice it to say that in our modern times…most people will struggle to meet their nutritional needs from food alone.
As a consequence, dietary supplements have become a necessity for those who wish to maintain optimal health.
Which begs an important question: What supplements do you need?
Supplement stores, drug stores, online stores, and big box stores are packed with seemingly endless options. It can be more than a little overwhelming.
With that in mind, here are a couple of things to consider:
- Your specific needs will depend on your diet, your lifestyle, and your unique physiology. What’s best for you isn’t necessarily what will be best for someone else.
- It’s important to get some advice from a medical professional who has experience with dietary supplementation.
With these considerations in mind, the following are some supplements you may want to consider:
#1. A High-Quality Multivitamin
Multivitamins are your nutritional safety net. As the foundation for your supplement regimen, a good multi-vitamin will at least cover the bare essentials.
#2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are renowned for their potent anti-inflammatory properties and their role in supporting heart and brain health. Look for a supplement that is rich in the fatty acids EPA and DHA.
#3. Vitamin D
While your body can synthesize vitamin D from sunlight, this is likely to be insufficient for most people. Likewise, getting enough vitamin D from food can be challenging. As a consequence, most people in the United States are vitamin D deficient to some degree.
Meanwhile, vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune system function, and mood regulation.
Having said that, caution should be exercised where vitamin D supplementation is concerned. Unlike many other nutrients, your body can store vitamin D. As a consequence, it has the potential for becoming toxic if it builds up over time.
Before supplementing vitamin D, have your vitamin D levels checked and follow a medical provider’s advice on how much to take.
#4. Probiotics
Because your gut biome influences everything from digestion to immune system function, your gut health is central to your overall health.
Having a variety of beneficial bacteria present in the proper amounts is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. When these good bacteria are out of balance, probiotics can help to restore your gut biome to good health.
The best probiotic supplements will contain a wide variety of bacteria strains for maximum benefits.
#5. Calcium
This mineral is essential for bone health, muscle function, and nerve transmission. Like many other nutrients, most people don’t get enough calcium from their diets alone.
#6. Magnesium
Magnesium plays a vital role in more than 300 biochemical reactions within the body. These include everything from energy production to muscle function to stress management. However, research indicates that magnesium deficiency is common in the United States.
#7. Antioxidants
These important compounds neutralize harmful free radicals in your body, thereby protecting cells from oxidative damage. Common antioxidants include vitamins C and E.
Which Supplements Are Best for You?
As the name would suggest, supplements are meant to be supplemental to your diet.
But as noted above, issues within our food supply can make it difficult to get everything you need from food alone, making dietary supplements indispensable for filling in the gaps.
At Renew Youth, we can guide you to the right supplements for your needs. To learn more, call us at 800-859-7511 or use our easy contact form to schedule your free consultation.