Even health-conscious consumers often have a hard time getting the nutrients they need from dietary sources alone. That should come as no surprise given the proliferation of processed foods, snacks, and supposed diet products that contain few of the nutrients the body needs to thrive. Read on to find out how taking daily wellness supplements can help.
Benefits of Wellness Supplements
There are some Health Benefits of Wellness Supplements:
- Don’t Miss Essential Nutrients
The fact that it can be difficult to get sufficient nutrition even from healthy diets shouldn’t mean that consumers have to suffer the results of nutrient deficiencies. A good multivitamin will help to round out nutrient profiles without adding unnecessary calories. Those looking for high-quality multivitamins designed to target specific demographics or meet unique nutritional needs can check out supplementrelief.com to find NuMedica professional-grade products that will perfectly complement any diet.
- Manage Weight the Healthy Way
It can seem like everyone in today’s society is either on a diet or talking about starting one, but there are healthier ways to go about losing weight than calorie restriction or cutting out entire food groups. Taking weight loss supplements can help to curb appetite, stimulate fat burning, and give consumers extra energy to exercise. While a weight loss supplement alone is unlikely to help anyone take off more than a few extra pounds, taking one may make it easier to stick with positive lifestyle changes that facilitate weight loss.
- Boost Athletic Performance
Professional and amateur athletes often take supplements to boost their athletic performance and speed up the healing process after strenuous training sessions. Athletes should look for wellness supplements that contain calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk of bone injuries and anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling after injuries or serious workouts. Some can also benefit from iron supplementation. The easiest way to use supplements as a means of boosting athletic performance is to choose a product specifically formulated for athletes.
- Improve Gut Health
Consumers with gastrointestinal issues such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease often struggle to get enough nutrients from diet alone since their bodies can’t absorb sufficient amounts of the nutrients provided by food. This often leads to nutrient deficiencies. The most common deficiencies among this consumer group are iron, calcium, and B12 deficiencies, but it’s best to meet with a dietician or a nutritionist to discuss other needs that may not be getting met, as well.
- Manage Heart Disease
Research performed by the American Heart Association shows that taking fish oil supplements can reduce mortality rates among patients who have been diagnosed with heart disease or have suffered heart attacks. That’s because fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to heart health. Vegetarians and vegans can also get omega-3s from plant-based sources like chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and algae oil supplements.
- Provide Extra Nutrition during Pregnancy
Pregnant women often take neonatal vitamins to ensure that they, and their babies, are getting all the nutrients they need. There are plenty of herbal supplements that are safe for pregnant women, as well. Look for supplements high in folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamins B, C, and D, choline, and omega-3 fatty acids. These key vitamins and minerals can help to prevent birth defects and ensure that the mother and her baby are healthy.
- Support Healthy Aging
There’s a common misconception that problems like osteoporosis, macular degeneration, and other age-related disorders are just an inevitable part of getting older. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Consumers over the age of 50 can fight osteoporosis by taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, address B12 deficiencies, which are common in the elderly, and slow down the progression of vision loss with vitamins C and E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Just look for supplements formulated for adults over 50.
- Complement Plant-Based Diets
Plant-based diets are generally considered healthy, but vegans and vegetarians can struggle even more than meat-eaters with getting all the nutrients they need. Taking a supplement designed to ensure optimal health in vegans is a great idea. Even nutrition-conscious vegans need to take vitamin B12 supplements, as there are no plant-based sources of this essential nutrient.
- Boost Immune Response
Herbal supplements have been used to treat colds, flu, and other illnesses for centuries. The ones that work usually contain ingredients that benefit the immune system such as astragalus root, angelica root, ginger, orange peel, and honey. Many of the herbs used to boost immune response are also anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating.
- Combat Medication Side Effects
Some prescription medications affect nutrient absorption, leaving those who take them at increased risk of developing deficiencies. One great example of this can be seen with diabetes patients. The diabetes medication metformin is known to cause B12 deficiencies, so taking supplements that contain B12 can benefit patients by restoring levels of this essential vitamin to optimal levels. The same can be said of acid blockers, which affect iron and B12 absorption by reducing acidity in the stomach.
- Combat Insomnia
Everybody knows how important it is to maintain healthy sleep patterns, but some people have more trouble following through on that advice than others. Taking sleep support supplements at night can help, and may even eliminate the need for potentially dangerous prescription sleep aids. Look for supplements that contain melatonin. This natural ingredient mimics a hormone produced in the brain that is known for regulating circadian rhythm and making it easier to fall asleep.
- A Note about Safety
Those with complex health histories may want to speak with their physicians before starting new supplements to avoid medication interactions. Most supplements are safe for all consumers as long as they are purchased from reputable vendors, but they are not regulated by the FDA so it’s up to buyers to evaluate claims and ingredients for themselves.
Especially, be more careful with what you are giving to your child who is using neonatal picc catheters for gaining liquid nutrition. They can be more sensitive and what works for everyone might not be beneficial for them. Consult with your doctor.
The Bottom Line
Most Americans can benefit from taking some form of dietary supplement. Try to find a formulation that addresses specific nutrient deficiencies or other health concerns, or one that targets specific age groups, genders, or demographics. It’s the best way to avoid problems with over-supplementation while still getting access to all the nutrients the body needs to thrive.