Despite your best efforts to take in all of your needed nutrients through diet alone, many people fall short in this endeavor. In order to bridge the gap between what your body needs to function at optimal levels and what you receive in your diet, you may want to consider the use of supplements. It is understandable if you become overwhelmed when faced with the dizzying array of available supplements promising to boost your health. To help you to narrow down your options, here are five supplements to add to your diet today.
Probiotics
Probiotics burst onto the scene a few decades ago and have been all of the rage since. As more research demonstrates the connection between a healthy gut microbiome and overall health, probiotics are emerging as one of the most popular supplements. A daily probiotic will promote proper digestion, support immune function, and help to control gut health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. A probiotic is also useful in helping to control weight gain. Be sure to choose a probiotic supplement that uses live cultures.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Because it is primarily available in oily fish, dark leafy greens, and walnuts, most people do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet naturally. This makes an omega-3 supplement a good idea for nearly any diet. This type of fatty acid is essential for heart health, inflammatory response, and immune function. In addition, it has been shown that omega-3 fatty acids are also instrumental in boosting your mood, staving off depression, and improving sleeping patterns.
Vitamin D3
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to rage, vitamin D3 has been pushed to the forefront as more research shows that it may be helpful in reducing the severity of the symptoms of the deadly virus. This is a fat soluble vitamin, making it difficult for the body to produce on its own. While you can make some of this through sun exposure, many people are still deficient in the critical vitamin. The vitamin is useful in regulating the body’s insulin, boosting the immune system, and more. A doctor can check your blood levels to discern whether you are getting enough of this vitamin through sun exposure alone. It may be that you simply need to take the supplement during the darker winter months when your sun exposure is more limited.
Multivitamin
For an all-encompassing supplement that will serve a variety of needs, look no further than a multivitamin. While you should never rely on multivitamins to meet all of your nutritional needs, this supplement will provide good insurance for your overall health. Be sure to pick a multivitamin that is formulated for your specific health needs. For example, if you are a female of childbearing age, you should pick a vitamin with added folate and iron. The elderly will benefit from a multivitamin with extra calcium and vitamin D to protect frail bones.
Calcium
Being diligent about taking enough calcium is particularly important as you age or if you know that you do not get enough dairy in your diet. Taking a calcium supplement will work to keep your bones strong, helping to mitigate the risk of fractures as you age. While calcium is easily found in milk and other dairy offerings, many people cannot tolerate these products. Adding a calcium supplement to your diet will also help to ensure that you are protecting your bone mass so that you reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. In addition to your bones, your heart, nerves, and muscle also rely on adequate amounts of calcium for proper functioning.