The food we eat is filled with important nutrients like calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C but as we grow older our capacity to absorb those nutrients become lesser. A traditional American diet comprises largely of processed food, filtered grains, and added sugars that have very little nutrients in them which is why even if you consume a well-balanced diet, your body will fall short of nutrients. Dietary supplements can be a very convenient way to bridge these gaps in your diet. From essential minerals to vitamins to weight loss supplements, there are tonnes of options available for your body. But you should always consult your doctor and pick these supplements wisely before incorporating them into your diet. Here are a few ways in which these supplements can improve a certain deficiency in your body:
- Meal replacements: Weight loss supplements are basically devised to enrich our diet. For those who cannot consume regular foods due to allergies or illnesses, these supplements are great alternatives for them. Speaking of weight management, using meal replacement supplements can really help in keeping your calorie count in check. But that merely is not enough. Considering the vast availability and ease of getting processed food these days, exercising regularly has also become very important. Adding a few supplements to your diet can give your body the extra boost it requires to stay on track in terms of a healthy and balanced weight loss routine. But remember that it is also okay to indulge. Treating yourself once or twice a week will help you to stay positive. A delicious gluten-free cranberry pudding can be exactly what you need to break free from your diet this week and not feel too guilty about it. You can also help your friends and family by treating them once in a while through small gestures like sending them chocolates online and spreading some positivity!
- Sports nutrition supplements: There is a wide range of supplements that help in boosting sports performance. They include pills, powders, formulas, and drinks that are formulated to not just make you feel hydrated but also boost physical activity. Among them are the best bcca supplements which bond the three branched chain amino acids that help in muscle building and have weight loss properties as well. Sports supplements have a light but incremental effect over time. You can’t possibly expect to consume these supplements for a few days and buff up immediately, but research shows that if used properly and regularly these products can give you an edge. Creatine is also one of the most famous supplements that are said to help in muscle cell recovery for athletes who are involved in quick high-intensity workouts like weight lifting or sprinting. A supplement like Balance of Nature may help you stay energized.
- Calcium deprived: Calcium is one mineral that is the most deficient in American diets. It is also the most important mineral required for growth and bone development. Calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, raisins, dark leafy greens, soybeans, fish, and beans must be included in your diet as much as possible. But a lot of people today are lactose intolerant and hence cannot consume most of the above-mentioned products without having severe reactions.
However, if you do not have any lactose intolerance as such then you must give dairy a shot. Begin moderately by including small amounts of dairy products or low lactose products like yoghurt, with your meals. Nevertheless, if you do wish to take calcium supplements, it is recommended that you take the calcium citrate or lactate as these forms are absorbed by the body to the fullest and in the best manner.
- Vitamins D: There is a good chance that you are not getting enough Vitamin D required for your body. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to your body not being able to adequately protect itself from chronic diseases or counteract osteoporosis.
It is suggested that popping a vitamin D supplement daily or getting decent exposure to the sun is required to maintain decent levels of Vitamin D in our blood.
Some foods like fish, dairy, and fortified cereal do contain vitamin D, but till date sunlight remains the best source for Vitamin D. But, in case your geographical area or an underlying health situation keeps you from absorbing enough sunlight then you might need a vitamin D supplement.
- Iron: Iron is a very vital mineral for your overall health and well being. Anaemia is a disease often caused by the deficiency of iron in your body. If you do suspect the lack of iron in your body then you can prevent the onset of anaemia by adding an iron supplement to your diet. People with low levels of iron might require intravenous iron. It is considered ideal to take iron supplements on an empty stomach as the existing food in your body can hamper the iron absorption in your body. Consuming iron supplements with a food or drink that is rich in vitamin C will aid better absorption of the iron.
Before closing, we would like to reiterate the fact that dietary supplements are meant to supplement or add on to your diet and not to substitute the necessary nutritious foods. Make sure you look for trusted brands that have been around for awhile and talk to your doctor before getting on these pills. You can also go through this list of FAQs to understand more about dietary supplements. You should always wear gym outfits while working out. It also boost your confidence and you feel far more comfortable.
Author’s Bio
“Jessica Smith has been writing for a few years now. She is a writer by day and reader by night. Holding on to her passion for fitness, she believes that a healthy eating is the key to health and fit body.
