Your body is subject to daily stress as a result of a number of factors including environmental toxins, workplace issues, and processed food. In a perfect world, you can battle stress and easily get all the nutrition you need from basic food items. However, the world is far from perfect, so dietary supplementation is necessary to overcome nutritional deficiencies.
Dietary supplements contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes. They are marketed in the form of capsules, tablets, gelatin capsules or softgels, liquids and powders. In this article, we talk about the six nutritional supplements you should be taking to help boost your health and well-being.
1. Vitamin C
A nutritional supplement commonly recommended as early as childhood, Vitamin C is a widely used and popular antioxidant. Vitamin C comes highly recommended for the prevention of common colds since it boosts the immune system.
Studies have also shown that it has cancer prevention properties.
2. L-Glutamine
Glutamine is a naturally occurring amino acid in your body that transports nitrogen into your muscles. It plays a huge role in metabolism, protein synthesis, energy restoration, and in the functioning of your immune system.
If you engage daily in strenuous activities, you will find glutamine supplements highly beneficial. During a heavy workout, your body’s glutamine levels become depleted. Oftentimes, it takes a week for the body to get glutamine back to its normal level. So supplementing your glutamine stores enables you to keep your exercise regimen without running the risk of depleting your natural glutamine supply.
3. Glucosamine
Formed naturally in your body, glucosamine is a combination of glucose and glutamine. It supports joints and repairs cartilage and other tissues. Though your body naturally produces glucosamine, production slows down as you age.
Research has shown that glucosamine is an essential supplement for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. As you grow out of your 20s and 30s, it is wise for you to think of joint support. Indeed, glucosamine supplements are an excellent choice because they help protect your joints.
4. Spirulina
Spirulina grows in tropical and subtropical environments. This type of algae is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids. No wonder spirulina is a great thing to include in your diet. You can add it to your smoothies and shakes.
For most individuals, spirulina is a core supplement for overall health and wellness. But it can greatly benefit those suffering from persistent allergies because studies have shown that it reduces the release of histamines in the body.
5. Multivitamins and Multiminerals
By the time fresh food products like fruits and vegetables have been harvested, packaged, transported and left on supermarket shelves, plenty of their original nutrients have already been lost.
This challenge can significantly be offset if you eat only the highest quality fresh organic food, but this is not always possible. After all, not a lot of people have the luxury of living right next door to organic farms, and not everyone has access to a farmers’ market.
To meet your daily nutritional requirements, multivitamin and multimineral supplements are recommended to keep your body completely supplied with all vital nutrients. Multivitamins and mineral supplements usually include vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, plus calcium, folic acid, selenium, copper, manganese, iron, and other micronutrients.
6. Whey Protein
The most widely used sports supplement is whey protein, usually taken in the form of shakes since they are the simplest way to reach your recommended daily protein intake. If you don’t get enough protein, you risk losing muscle mass. Whey protein can help in muscle repair as well as growth especially after a heavy workout or strenuous physical activity.
Whey protein can greatly benefit anyone with a goal of muscle building and strengthening. If you engage in a physical fitness routine, you need sufficient protein intake to repair muscle tissue damage caused by rigorous training. Taking whey protein makes it a lot easier for you to get the required amount of protein without your having to consume a lot of protein-rich foods.
Some nutritional supplements are formulated to help ensure you get enough of the essential nutrients your body needs to function, while others are meant to reduce your risk of getting certain diseases. As always, any health concerns should be communicated to your physician.
Remember, too, that nutritional supplements are not intended to replace a healthy diet. What you can do is to eat a wide variety of nutritionally dense food items, and then supplement as needed.
