How To Find The Best Nutritional Supplements For You
Want to add nutritional supplements to your everyday diet? Nutritional supplements can help you get access to nutrients that might be absent from your diet and help you live a healthier life. Read this blog to learn more about the benefits of nutritional supplements and how to find the best nutritional supplements for you.
What Are Nutritional Supplements?
A nutritional supplement refers to any vitamin, mineral, herb, enzyme, or amino acid that you ingest. People often call them dietary supplements because you can add the supplements into your daily diet or routines. Nutritional supplements can include different vitamins, such as B-12, or even CBD oil.
What Are Some of the Key Nutritional Supplements for Optimal Health?
The best nutritional supplements for you will depend on which part of your health you are trying to target. For example, if you want to strengthen your bones, then calcium might be a good choice. Speak with a pharmacist to take the first step in finding the right nutritional supplements for your diet.
According to the National Institute of Health, some of the benefits of nutritional supplements include adding missing nutrients into your diet, helping prevent disease onset, and strengthening your bones. According to this study done by the CDC, around 58% of American adults use nutritional supplements. The most common dietary supplements noted in the study include multivitamins, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.
According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s 2019 study, the top ten most popular nutritional supplements added into adult diets are Magnesium, Protein, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, Potassium, Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), Caffeine, Vitamin C, and Omega 3-fatty acids.
Although foods have been fortified to include many of the essential vitamins and minerals, we are finding that nutrient deficiencies are still extremely common. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most commonly recommended supplements at Stanley Specialty Pharmacy:
Magnesium
Magnesium is responsible for so many functions in the body, and most people today are finding that they are magnesium deficient. Magnesium is essential for maintaining a consistent heart rhythm and a healthy nervous system. It helps the body utilize calcium and potassium properly, regulate our neurotransmitters, and assist in cellular level chemical reactions that help us sustain life. Oral magnesium supplements can help with a wide range of ailments, including constipation, muscle cramps, and migraines. Although you can find magnesium in many foods, it is always a good idea for your doctor to check your magnesium levels to ensure you are getting enough.
Calcium
Research shows that calcium is good for our bones, including our teeth! You can choose from a variety of calcium supplements, including but not limited to calcium citrate, carbonate, and phosphate. It is important to understand the amount of elemental calcium that your supplement can provide and whether it needs to be taken with food. Similar to magnesium, calcium can affect our heart function, so it is important to speak to your doctor before starting a supplement.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that our body produces when we are exposed to natural sunlight. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, neuroprotective capabilities and is important for maintaining a healthy immune system. It helps your body absorb and utilize calcium and works as a hormone to regulate many cellular level functions.
Probiotics
Probiotics are a type of “good bacteria” that can be taken to help create and maintain a healthy gut biome. It is common for people to take probiotics after completing a course of antibiotics, but there are other signs and symptoms that might suggest that you could benefit from taking a daily probiotic. It is important to have a healthy gut, especially when taking supplements, so that our body can properly break them down and absorb them.
Zinc
Zinc is a trace mineral that our body does not naturally produce or store, so it is crucial to obtain it through food or supplements. It is critical for the development and function of our immune cells, and fundamental for cell growth, skin health, DNA synthesis and protein production.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a mainly used for sleep support, but just like vitamin D, melatonin is a necessary hormone that our body produces. Even if you are not looking for sleep support, you might benefit from supplementing with melatonin. Melatonin helps balance our response to stress, acts as an antioxidant, plays a role in the release of our sex and growth hormones.
Are Nutritional Supplements Safe?
It is important to consult with your doctor or wellness provider before adding any supplements into your diet. Some supplements can interfere with prescription medications or are not recommended for use in people with certain health conditions. Nutritional supplements can enrich your life by restoring depleted vitamin levels. However, it is important to find brands that you can trust. The Pharmacists at Stanley Specialty Pharmacy are happy to assist in helping you find high quality nutritional supplements.
What Kind of Nutritional Supplements Should I Take?
Ready to see how you could benefit from dietary supplements? Schedule a consultation with Stanley Specialty Pharmacy today! You can also shop our nutritional supplements via our online store if you need a refill. Contact us for more information.
