Most of us are taking at least one type of supplement as part of our daily diet. In that way, we ensure we intake sufficient amounts of an important nutrient our body lacks in order to maintain optimal function, or we strive to improve our immunity for optimal overall health. While dietary supplements have many proven health benefits, we have to be very careful when choosing them since not all of them are made equal.
Choosing natural supplements is of utmost importance. Not only that, whatever we put in our mouth has a direct impact on our digestive health, but the harmful substances that might be included can have devastating effects on our overall well-being, especially when used long-term. That being said, it’s advisable to include natural supplements for healthy gut in your diet to ensure the proper functioning of your digestive tract. In order for your body to intake any nutrients and supplements properly, you need a healthy gut flora. In addition to that, each individual can choose to take supplements for different purposes including detox supplements, beauty supplements, multivitamins, supplements for brain function, and so on. However, before taking any types of supplements, you should consult your doctor.
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Being derived from natural ingredients (herbs and medicinal plants), natural supplements positively affect your body. They help improve a person’s overall health and make sure the body maintains a state of well-being. While dietary supplements can’t replace the nutrients you receive from the food you eat, they are a great addition to your diet. But how do they actually help you?
They Replenish the Nutrients You Miss or Lack
Raw and low-processed foods are the main source of nutrients. However, since we don’t always eat fresh fruits and vegetables, we need to replenish the nutrients we miss to intake or lack despite the food sources. For instance, we don’t eat tomatoes, cucumbers, and leafy greens during winter, so we need to find another source of nutrients.
They Serve as Additional Nutrients
As their name suggests, supplements supplement your regular diet. They can’t and shouldn’t be used to replace fruits, vegetables, and other foods. Instead, they serve as additional nutrients, thus ensuring you receive all the nutrients you need on a daily basis. Moreover, they are very important when we need more of certain nutrients, such as vitamin C in winter to boost our immune system or folic acid for pregnant women.
They Ensure Optimal Health
As mentioned at the beginning, one of the factors that determine which supplements you use is your health condition. Namely, older people take vitamin D to strengthen their bones and prevent or reduce the symptoms of bone-related conditions, such as osteoporosis. But, you can also take supplements if you are healthy but have a nutrient deficiency.
In order to determine deficiency, you need to visit your doctor who will do analyses and tests to identify whether and which nutrient you miss. For instance, if the iron levels in your blood are low, they will prescribe taking iron supplements. Or, if you have problems with your vision (weaken vision), they may suggest taking vitamin A.
Here are several examples of how supplements help improve your health:
- Folic acid ensures proper development of the brain and spine of the fetus and reduces the risk of certain birth defects.
- Vitamin D and calcium strengthen your bones and reduce bone loss, thus preventing osteoporosis.
- Omega-3 fatty acids improve heart health and may help with heart disease. It’s also suggested that they may help prevent or delay neurodegenerative diseases.
They Are Clean
The first thing that comes to our mind when we mention natural supplements is that they are made from natural ingredients, meaning they are clean from chemicals. They don’t contain any artificial components and are based on vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other ingredients derived from herbs or foods. As traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines show, natural remedies are the best way to prevent and treat health problems. Therefore, taking supplements with L-theanine, ashwagandha, turmeric, and ginger will greatly improve your health and ensure you stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
They Access Your Body Needs
Due to containing only natural ingredients, natural supplements can easily access your body’s needs. Having in mind that they are used only when needed, they affect the cause of your condition and help remove it. In order to prevent unnecessary consumption, which can lead to issues like hypervitaminosis, you should consult with your doctor first.
They Are Convenient to Use
Consuming natural supplements is very convenient. There are plenty of different types of products, including capsules, pills, tinctures, oils, sprays, liquids, and edibles. Moreover, they are packed in transportable packages so that you can carry them with you everywhere.
They Are High-Quality Products
Natural supplements are high-quality products because they contain natural ingredients that are safe. There are no additives, fillers, and other potentially harmful contents. However, you should be careful when choosing your supplements because not all products on the market are of high quality and safe to use.
They Are Safe to Use
Unlike many conventional drugs, natural supplements don’t harm your body. That’s why doctors usually suggest taking certain supplements when treating a particular health condition. For instance, when treating flu, doctors suggest taking vitamin C along with the prescribed medications. In fact, adults prefer taking products like Caffetin Cold, which contain only paracetamol and vitamin C, instead of conventional medications.