8 Crucial Health Supplements for People to Consider

The diet of the modern human is far different than diets of the past, often featuring far more processed foods and chemicals. Studies are still being performed on the long-term effects on people that come from this change, but most experts agree that it has been a negative shift. After all, the modern diet has been linked to diseases including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more.

Going further, from a short-term view, the lack of nutrition that comes from modern foods has caused day-to-day changes in humans such as mood swings and energy levels. One beneficial way to counteract a modern diet that doesn’t provide nutrients is to consider health supplements for vitamins or chemicals a person may be deficient in.

What are Health Supplements?

For those who have never taken supplements before, understanding what exactly they are can be difficult. In short, a health supplement, sometimes known as a dietary supplement, is a manufactured product that is simply intended to supplement a person’s diet by providing them with nutrients via a pill, capsule, tablet, liquid, or some other form. Health supplements are almost always sold on normal shelves in grocery stores or convenience stores unless they are specialty items that require extra care.

Do Health Supplements Work?

Many people find themselves skeptical about health supplements for the sole reason that they do not know a lot about them and that they receive some level of nutrients anyways from their diet, regardless of how flawed it may be. However, studies have shown that health supplements can positively effect individuals by causing a person to be more health conscious, exercise more, eat healthier diets, even establish new and healthier lifestyle factors.

8 Best Health Supplements to Consider Adding to Your Diet

For those who are considering adding a health supplement to your diet, it can be challenging to know which to take. Above all, however, consult with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your diet just to be sure that it is completely safe for you. With that in mind, each of the following eight supplements should be considered:

1. A General Multivitamin

A multivitamin is one of the best catch-all supplements that a person can consider taking due to the fact that it is meant to provide you with your daily recommended dose in one single pill. Be aware, however, that if you are currently on medication that emphasizes one or more of your daily vitamin doses, then taking a multivitamin may cause you to exceed your daily recommended amount.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D primarily comes from the food a person eats and the sun’s rays as they hit the skin. There are a variety of reasons a person may be deficient in Vitamin D, but it can lead to feelings of fatigue, depression, hair loss, reduced appetite, bone pain, and more. Should you find that you are deficient, Vitamin D supplements can be a great way to solve the problem.

3. Fish Oil

Particularly for those who don’t consume fish on a regular basis, it may be worth adding a fish oil supplement into your diet so that you can get Omega 3s. Fish oil is a dietary source of the broad Omega-3 fatty acids which help stimulate muscle growth and overall muscle activity. They are only derived from food, which means if you aren’t intaking them through eating then you aren’t getting them.

4. Probiotics

Probiotics help to keep a person’s gut healthy over time by increasing the number of healthy bacteria that are in the gut. While not necessary for everyone, those taking probiotics may notice an improvement in their bowel habits, mood, and general appetite. Many health experts will often recommend taking probiotics after a course of antibiotics because the antibiotics will kill all types of bacteria, good and bad alike.

5. Magnesium

While the majority of people shouldn’t need to take a magnesium supplement during the course of their life, as most diets allow a person to reach their daily recommended dose, it is possible that it may be necessary. Those who avoid foods such as spinach, leafy greens, yogurt, milk, whole grains, and more could quite possibly be deficient in Magnesium.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Considering taking ACV gummies may not be one of the first supplement ideas that comes to mind, but it is also one of the most beneficial. Apple cider vinegar has numerous health benefits including killing harmful bacteria, lowering blood sugar levels and managing diabetes, assisting with weight loss, and more.

7. Iron

The leading signs of an iron deficiency include headaches, brittle nails, cold hands and feet, fatigue, and much more. While iron tends to be brought into the body through eating red meats and through other sources, it’s possible for a person to be deficient in it. To avoid this, consult with your doctor to see if an iron supplement is something you should add to your diet in order to improve your overall health.

8. Protein Powder

Finally, protein power is one of the best supplements to consider taking in order to stimulate muscle growth and development. Protein is a crucial component when it comes to building and repairing muscles for the purpose of making hormones and enzymes. Many people choose to take protein powder supplements when they are avid gym goers or simply seeking more calories in a liquid form. Protein powder is the most traditional way of ingesting supplemental protein, but it is possible to take in other forms as well.

Improve your overall health today

Even someone who makes educated choices on what food they eat on a daily basis will not have a perfect diet due to the pure number of additives included in foods today. As a result, it’s entirely possible that a person may need a supplement or two in order to counteract the negative effects. Always check with your primary care provider before taking a new supplement to be sure that it is safe for you to consume in addition to your normal diet.