Think you have no need for Nutritional Supplements?
You may want to give this some more thought.
No matter how healthy you live your life, there’s a good chance you’re not getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need.
But by simply adding supplements to your daily routine, you could easily give your body all the essentials it requires to perform at its best.
Many Reasons for Nutritional Supplements
It’s important to understand that a nutritional supplement is not meant to be a replacement for a healthy lifestyle.
The word supplement is defined as something that enhances something else when added to it.
In the case of nutritional supplements, they’re meant to enhance your health.
Yet in today’s world, it’s hard – if not impossible sometimes – to always give your body everything it needs to perform at its optimal level.
So we’ll take a look at ten reasons you should add supplements to your daily routine.
1. Fresh Produce Provides Fewer Nutrients Than It Once Did
If you were to walk through the produce section of a grocery store 50 years ago, you’d notice much smaller fruits and veggies than that to which you’ve become accustomed.
You’d probably notice spots and imperfections as well.
Today’s farming practices have allowed for larger, prettier and MORE produce. And all of this has come at a cost.
The focus on pest resistance and higher yields means the use of pesticides and genetic modification. The result is depleted topsoil and larger produce with fewer nutrients and more sugar.
While buying produce from local and organic farmers is a much safer bet, it’s not always easy for everyone to access these. Even if you do, it’s still a good idea to supplement with a quality micronutrient blend.
2. Stress in Life Depletes Nutrients
Most of us are busy. In some cases, REALLY busy. And this creates stress.
Stress often comes from difficult situations like a demanding job, financial troubles or general worry. But it can be the result of seemingly positive events too such as buying a house, having a child or getting married. It can even come from working your body too hard in a fitness class.
To your body, stress is stress.
And if the stress becomes chronic, the body will counter by increasing the production of stress hormones and certain neurotransmitters. All of this equals feeling tired and drained.
In an attempt to keep up in the midst of exhaustion, your body then uses up specific nutrients like magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C.
So it’s important to replenish those nutrients in order to support hormone and neurotransmitter production.
3. Supplements Are Easy to Take on the Go
Another stressor for many people is traveling.
Whether for work or for play, travel takes a toll on the body. This is especially true when you have to move across time zones.
One of the first things that’s sacrificed during travel is sleep. And lack of sleep leaves the immune system stressed. Melatonin and magnesium support healthy sleep, while vitamin C and zinc go a long way in boosting immunity.
Then there’s the issue of eating while traveling.
Finding high quality and nutrient-rich foods at the airport or on the road is difficult, at best. But easily transportable supplements like organic bone broth protein emulsified MCT oil, and macronutrients will help you feel full longer and keep your body moving.
4. Get the Full Spectrum of Nutrients
One of the most important nutrients for the body is amino acids. They’re the building blocks of tissues, muscles, neurotransmitters, and hormones.
There’s a misconception though that only the muscles and meat from animals and fish have every amino acid the body requires. That’s not the case.
Before industrialization, people took advantage of every part of the animal. They consumed organ meats, bone marrow, and tendons. As a result, they got the full spectrum of amino acids and micronutrients.
Today, we have a better understanding of how to get these essential nutrients by adding supplements to a healthy diet. Even if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you have options.
5. Combat Toxins
No matter where you call home, you are exposed to some amount of toxins.
From cleaning products to personal care products to plastic water bottles, toxins are everywhere. Even in our drinking water.
And many foods are chock full of artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives – not to mention chemical additives like MSG.
You can use all organic products, filter your water, and eat only all-natural organic foods, but you will still be exposed some amount of toxins simply in the air you breathe.
In other words, nobody is living a completely toxin-free life. And daily exposure to toxins puts a strain on all of your body’s operating systems.
Supplements can help counter these negative effects by supporting your liver, immune system, brain, and gut microbiome.
Speaking of which…
6. Support Your Gut Microbiome
Humans can carry up to 4 pounds or more of microbes in their gut. This population of microbes in the intestine is known as your gut microbiome.
Among the tens of trillions of micro-organisms living there, there are at least 1,000 species of bacteria consisting of over 3 million genes. And two-thirds of your gut microbiome is completely unique to you.
It’s very important to maintain healthy bacteria in your gut because every aspect of your wellbeing is impacted by your gut microbiome.
But as we age, it’s more difficult to keep that balance. And it becomes an even bigger challenge for those who rely on life-saving pharmaceuticals due to disease. These medications can kill those bacteria.
For these people though, it’s more about staying alive and less about supporting the bacteria in their gut. And that’s understandable.
Whatever the case, taking a probiotic that supports a variety of gut flora is crucial to maintaining a healthy gut. Formulas that contain prebiotics are a plus since they’re key in nourishing probiotic cultures.
7. Achieve Specific Goals
Everyone has different nutritional needs. Someone who is 26 and in the top physical condition is not going to have the same requirements as someone who is 76 and on three different medications.
Even if you regularly exercise and consume nothing but whole foods, there are situations where you may seek specific nutritional supplements to help you meet a goal.
For instance, if you’re trying to lose weight, taking supplements containing protein and fat can help you stay fuller longer so you’re not as inclined to eat. On the flip side, if you’re looking to gain weight, whey protein could help to bulk up your muscles as you intensify your training.
Another area you may be targeting is better brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly helpful in maintaining the brain. And adaptogenic herbs like cordyceps can help increase mental clarity.
Finally, if you suffer from autoimmune or other diseases, you may suffer from hormone imbalances and digestive issues. Both of these situations make it tough to properly absorb and utilize nutrients.
There are certain supplements formulated to improve digestion, as well as help you build nutrient stores.
8. Absorb Nutrients More Effectively with Age
After you hit the age of 35, you tend to produce fewer digestive enzymes. These are the compounds necessary for preparing your food to be digested and used for nourishment.
In addition, as we age, many of us require prescription drugs. And certain drugs can rob us of important nutrients.
For example, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes reduces the body’s ability to produce folic acid and vitamin B12. And certain medications used for treating high cholesterol are thought to deplete CoQ10.
Such deficiencies can impact digestion, mood, and just about everything in between. Supplementing these losses helps to repair and restore the body.
9. Complement Exercise Routine
If you’re an athlete or a hard-core fitness enthusiast, you want your body to work at its optimal level.
When you exercise, you utilize the energy and nutrients your body has in store. So it’s vital that these are replenished. Otherwise, you’ll be working with a deficit and your exercise routine will not be as effective.
And you’ll be putting undue stress on your body.
Of course, carbs and protein are essential nutrients for athletes. They refuel energy levels and promote recovery after a workout.
But rather than eat a huge bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce, you can restore those muscles and regain energy by using protein powder. And it’s far easier too.
10. Avoid Expensive Health Issues
Most of us fall prey at least occasionally to erratic eating habits and processed junk food. Life is stressful and these “comfort foods” can provide temporary relief.
But on a long-term basis, the poor eating habits and stress contribute to poor digestion and inability for the body to absorb essential nutrients.
As we mentioned earlier, supplementation cannot stand alone. It’s not an excuse for eating poorly. But it can help prevent some of the damage that results from poor decisions.
Ultimately, look at taking supplements as a form of disease prevention rather than disease treatment.
Stay Healthy!
Along with a healthy diet, exercise and regular visits to the doctor, Nutritional Supplements are a part of the complete package for great health.
For more great tips and advice on living a full and healthy life, be sure to check back in with our betterment blog on a regular basis!
I have taken supplements for years and am hardly ever sick.