What are the best supplements to take daily
1) Multivitamin
Everyone can benefit from a multivitamin. This is a great way to avoid taking a million pills every day and still supplement the nutrients you need. Even healthy diets contain nutrient gaps. Thankfully, you can count on a daily multivitamin to help fill in those gaps and provide your body with some valuable nutritional insurance. Gender and age-specific formulas make the right multivitamin choice for your specific needs even easier. When choosing a multi, examine the label – find one that offers the nutrients you need most. For example, if you have a family history of eye disease, you may want to choose a multivitamin with lutein or if prostate cancer is a concern, choose a multi with boron.
2) Fish Oil
If oily/fatty fish like salmon and anchovies are not a part of your regular diet at least twice a week, then it may be worthwhile to supplement with fish oil—a source of the heart healthy. EPA and DHA help support flexible cell membranes. Omega-3s are linked to higher levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol), improved metabolism and better nutrient absorption. Just be sure to choose high-quality supplements with high levels of DHA and EPA.
3) Vitamin D
If you haven’t heard by now, sufficient levels of vitamin D are essential for maintaining good health. Low vitamin D has been linked to several types of cancer, weight gain, depression, poor nutrient absorption and low bone density. Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble nutrient that supports bone, teeth, muscle and immune health. However, due to the limited food sources rich in vitamin D, over 90% of people fail to meet their daily intake needs for vitamin D, making it a “nutrient of public health concern”. A simple blood test from your doctor can help you determine what your vitamin D level is and whether a supplement would be beneficial. At the next appointment with your health care professional, be sure to discuss your current vitamin D level and supplement needs.
4) Calcium
Calcium is renowned for its healthy body benefits: strong bones, healthy teeth, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission and blood clotting. Due to its multiple functions in the body, calcium intake must remain sufficient throughout the lifespan. Your bones contain 99% of your body’s calcium, and meeting the recommended level of calcium intake daily is important for bone health––now and as you age. Milk, yogurt, green leafy vegetables and cheese are great sources of calcium, and approximately three servings a day are needed for you to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (1,000 mg to 1,200 mg for adults). This can be challenging for many individuals; therefore, a calcium supplement can help fill in this key nutrient gap.
5) Minerals
Many people don’t realise they’re not taking on board the raw nutrients necessary for a healthy, vital and productive life. Intensive farming and food production, use of pesticides and synthetic additives mean our food does not contain the minerals that previous generations took for granted. Minerals in our diet are essential for a variety of bodily functions and our wellbeing, intelligence, energy and immune system depend on them, as well as building strong bones and teeth, blood, skin, hair, nerve function, muscle and for metabolic processes such as those that turn the food we eat into energy.
Minerals reintroduce essential properties into your diet to help you live a healthier life.
What’s the difference
The tablets sold in health food shops contain metallic or synthetic minerals which are effectively ground up rocks and clay which the body finds difficult to absorb.
