Giving Your Body a Helping Hand: 6 Supplements You Should Be Taking

Natural supplements can be used to augment the vitamins and minerals a person gets from eating a balanced diet.

Even with good nutrition, it can be difficult to get the necessary amounts of certain vitamins and minerals.

Taking additional doses of some vitamins and minerals has also been historically used by some to treat minor ailments naturally.

Asking a doctor or medical professional for advice on which supplements to take is recommended, as there can also be conflicting information on how to treat various conditions.

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Each person’s medical history and needs can also vary, so verifying correct dosage amounts and frequencies with a doctor can be beneficial. Generally speaking, though, some supplements can be universally beneficial, such as a wide spectrum mineral supplement.

 

Multivitamins

Various types of multivitamins exist, such as those designed for women, men, and certain age groups. Most multivitamins contain a good mix of the essentials, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, and calcium.

Some multivitamins may include additional supplements to help support metabolism or weight loss. Others help address the unique needs of the aging population, such as additional calcium and immune system support.

Multivitamins can be taken by various age ranges and are a solid way to get recommended dosages of the essentials. Diet can be the first line of intake, but not everyone can get the recommended daily dosages from diet alone.

 

Probiotics

Besides a multivitamin, probiotics can be beneficial to a lot of individuals.

Probiotics help maintain healthy bacteria levels in the gut, which can help address digestive issues and conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.

While probiotics can be absorbed through dietary choices such as yogurt, some take additional supplements for specific beneficial bacteria. Probiotics can also help strengthen the immune system, helping to protect against the transmission and severity of common viruses.

Since different people will respond in various ways to probiotics, a person can try gradually adding more probiotics to the diet.

This can be done with fermented foods, including cheeses and pickles. Those who take antibiotics regularly may find it more beneficial to start with higher dosages to combat the negative side effects of their medicine.

Taking antibiotics for extended periods is known to cause a reduction in the body’s good bacteria, which can lead to intestinal imbalances and yeast infections.

 

Minerals

Magnesium is a mineral that’s often found in multivitamins, but it can also be taken as a single supplement.

Besides helping to reduce the pain and frequency of migraines, magnesium plays a critical role in the body’s ability to produce energy. The supplement also aids the production of bone and human cells.

Magnesium can help lessen the severity of asthma, muscle cramps, heart disease, anxiety, and osteoporosis.

Some magnesium supplements also contain calcium, as the two are thought to be absorbed better by the body when taken together.

Those who follow vegan or vegetarian diets can usually obtain these types of supplements in vegan or vegetarian forms.

Magnesium is an important supplement that is thought to be deficient in 80 percent of the population. The recommended daily intake depends on age, gender, and whether the person is pregnant or lactating.

 

Other Important Supplements

Vitamin D3, fish oil, and turmeric are additional critical supplements.

Vitamin D3 is thought to help prevent the spread of the common cold and reduce its severity. Although Vitamin D3 is typically produced by the human body after exposure to sunlight, weather and lifestyle conditions do not always permit this.

The widespread use of broad-spectrum sunscreens, staying indoors more, and wearing clothing that does not leave the skin exposed can reduce the body’s natural production of the vitamin.

This essential vitamin also helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus more efficiently.

Calcium is known to help promote bone density and development, while phosphorus is contained within the human skeletal system and is a primary energy source.

Added to its impressive list of benefits, Vitamin D3 helps people heal from infections more quickly and can even help guard against the development of autoimmune disorders.

The omega 3 acids in fish oil can guard against systemic inflammation, thought to be the underlying cause or trigger of many diseases.

Other benefits of fish oil include improving mood, reducing the negative effects of depression, and increasing the immune system’s ability to fight off diseases. Fish oil is widely available in capsule form. Recommended dosages will vary based upon the person’s existing dietary habits and susceptibility to disease.

Turmeric can help reduce systemic inflammation.

Fighting or protecting against inflammation can reduce the risk of developing cancer, diabetes, and stroke. Turmeric has also been shown to help combat the effects of chronic fatigue, joint discomfort, and arthritis.

The decision to take supplements is a personal one. It’s a decision that can be discussed with a medical professional or doctor beforehand, even though many take common supplements like multivitamins without consulting a doctor first.

At the same time, it is vital to keep track of which supplements a person takes, how often, and in what dosages. Supplements can interact with different types of prescription medicines and impact how medical professionals deliver treatments, even routine dental care.

 

In conclusion

Supplements can be a great way to ensure a person is getting enough vitamins and minerals.

Follow the recommended dosages for age, gender, and other conditions. If combining or mixing supplements, also pay attention to the dosage amounts of different vitamins and minerals are contained in each supplement.