The market for nutritional supplements is enormous. Everywhere you look, there is a new supplement claiming it can fix all of your problems. With so many options, it can be hard to sift through the noise and figure out which options are right for you.
Do you need a multivitamin? An immune-support supplement? Something for your gut or your brain? Where do you even start?
If you find yourself overwhelmed with these kinds of questions, then you are in the right spot because we are going to break down everything you need to know about nutritional supplements.
The Purpose of Supplements
Supplements are used to do just what their name suggests, supplement your diet with additional nutrients that you may not be getting from your daily meals. They are usually available in capsule, tablet, liquid, or powder form, and they all serve their own, specific purposes.
Some of the most popular types of supplements that exist today include vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3, CoQ10, multivitamins, calcium, melatonin, and probiotics. Of course, there are also collagen supplements, protein powders, zinc, and antioxidant supplements, and many, many more options out there. No matter what types of benefits you are looking for, chances are good that you will find more than one supplement that can help, but choosing which one to try can be tricky.
With over 90,000 different types of supplements on the market today, it can feel difficult and overwhelming to go shopping for a new one. Each supplement brand offers a different mixture of ingredients, and those ingredients can range from natural, whole foods like blue-green algae or medicinal mushrooms to artificial ingredients that were created in a laboratory. On top of the ingredients, you also need to consider things like whether the supplement is high-quality and safe to use, but more on all of that in a minute.
The Benefits of Supplements
Now that we’re on the same page about what supplements are, let’s take a closer look at the numerous benefits they can offer to support a healthy lifestyle.
They Fill Nutrient Gaps
Our fast-paced lifestyles and busy schedules often lead to a lack of proper nutrition, with many individuals relying on convenience foods or dining out, which often isn’t as effective at providing your body with the nutrients it needs. On top of that, research has shown that the nutrient content of some crops has declined over the last few decades due to farming practices and soil degradation. This means that even those who follow the healthiest of diets may be missing out on key nutrients. Taking a high-quality nutritional supplement can help fill these gaps and ensure that your body has the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to stay as healthy as possible.
They Boost Your Mood and Memory
Many factors can affect your cognitive abilities and nutrition is a major one. For example, omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be a vital nutrient for supporting both mood and brain function. B vitamins, such as B12 and folic acid (B9), are also important as they support proper nerve function and the production of neurotransmitters that play a role in regulating mood. Nutritional supplements that contain these and other brain-supporting ingredients can provide your mind with the nourishment it needs, which can positively impact both your mood and memory.
Improve Your Athletic Performance
Protein shakes are a popular supplement among athletes, and for good reason. People who are hitting the gym, participating in sports, or generally living an active lifestyle, often need additional nutrients to support energy production, muscle growth, and recovery. For instance, creatine, which is an amino acid, is important for supporting strength and power during high-intensity exercise while nutrients like iron and vitamin D are essential for optimal athletic performance. A lack of any of these important nutrients can lead to fatigue and decreased endurance. In order to avoid this, athletes often choose to get these nutrients through supplementation.
They Support Your Gut Health
Your gut, and the bacteria that live there, are at the core of your overall health as this part of your body is responsible for absorbing nutrients so they can be dispersed and used elsewhere in your body. In order to stay as happy and healthy as possible, your gut needs to receive a variety of nutrients from your diet and supplement routine. Additionally, products that contain gut-supporting probiotics and digestive enzymes can help improve your digestion and ensure that your gut is functioning at its best.
How to Choose the Best Supplements for You
As we mentioned earlier, there are a wide variety of supplements available today, which can make it difficult to know which ones will be most beneficial for you. We get it, which is why we’ve put together some tips to help you decide which supplement is best for you.
Opt for Natural Ingredients
As mentioned, some companies use chemicals or synthetic ingredients in their supplements, which can do more harm than good. Make sure you read the ingredients list and look for a supplement that contains natural, whole food ingredients for the best results.
Check for Lifestyle Certifications
If you follow certain lifestyle or dietary restrictions, check to make sure the supplement you are choosing is compatible with those restrictions. Certifications like USDA-Organic, Kosher, and Halal are some of the most common to look for.
Check for Safety and Quality Accreditations
In order to be sure you are getting a supplement that is both safe and high-quality, you’ll want to choose one that has been registered to the prevailing industry standards. For example, the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is the gold standard in the food industry, so finding a supplement that has been registered to that standard ensures that it is produced in a manner that follows industry best practices for safety and quality.