Why are vitamins important and what supplements should I take?
Vitamins and nutritional supplements are important because our food supply just isn’t what it was even 60 years ago. Click Here to read my other blog post, Nutrients in Food, for more info about our food supply and nutrients.
Why are vitamins important?
We need to eat a well-balanced diet filled with vegetables, fruits, and protein. But it is often hard to eat all of the right things all of the time. There are gaps in our diet which lead to gaps in our vitamin and mineral intake. It is important to take nutritional supplements to fill those gaps.
If you are experiencing any of the following you may want to look at taking quality nutritional supplements.
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Not sleeping well
- Dry and brittle nails
- Low immune system
- Allergies
- Blood sugar issues
- Sugar cravings
- Thyroid issues
- Attention issues
- Bloating
- Skin issues
What supplements should I take?
It is important to start with a high-quality multivitamin. This will help in consuming the correct daily amount of basic vitamins and minerals.
Not all nutritional supplements are the same so it is important to look at the ingredient labels and know what you are taking. Here are a few things to look for when considering taking a multivitamin in particular.
Is it free of binders and fillers? Binders and fillers are man-made artificial ingredients. These ingredients have many negative side effects and should be avoided if at all possible. They are usually listed as “Other ingredients.” This can include things like artificial colors, hydrogenated oils, titanium dioxide, lead, and heavy metals.
Is it bioavailable? When we take vitamins and supplements our body is only able to absorb a certain percentage of what we take. Bioavailability is how much the body is actually able to absorb. One of the ingredients that can help with absorption is Aloe. Aloe allows the body to absorb up to 400% more nutrients.
Does it have folate or folic acid? Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9. It is hard for the body to digest and can build up within the body causing a higher risk for many ailments. Folate, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring B9 that is found in food and is easily digested in most people. This is a much better option for this much-needed nutrient.
Is it fully methylated? The human body is a complex system and when the methylation process internally happens it is like a machine that is well oiled and able to function at optimum. It is a very important part of actually be able to use the vitamins you are taking.
If you take a multivitamin and don’t notice health improvements after 60-90 days of consistency it may be time to make a change. A good multivitamin will make noticeable improvements to your health.
What other supplements should I take?
When considering what supplements should I take it is important to keep in mind that each person has unique physical needs. In addition to a multivitamin, I recommend a high quality probiotic as well as a magnesium supplement as most people are magnesium deficient. Click here to read my post about Probiotics.
If you would like to discuss my recommendations for your personal health journey please click here.
And don’t forget to download your copy of 3 Tips for Better Health.
