Which Supplements You Should Be Taking Every Day for Optimum Health

Supplement 400x280 - Which Supplements You Should Be Taking Every Day for Optimum Health

Dietary supplements are one of the hottest issues in the nutrition world, with some experts claiming that a balanced diet doesn’t necessarily include popping up pills to fulfil our nutritional needs.

Meanwhile, other dieticians point out the fact that it’s impossible to get all the nutrients we need from our food alone and promote supplement intake as an easy alternative to keep our bodies in proper condition. Therefore, we did a little research on the subject and asked dieticians about their opinion on what are the most essential supplements each of us should be taking every day.

Iron 

Iron is an essential supplement for women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding and vegans or vegetarians. According to the National Diet and Nutrition, over 27 percent of women have low iron intakes. For teenage girls between the ages of 10 and 18, this figure rose to 54 percent. 

Iron deficiency can cause anaemia, resulting in shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain and pale skin. Iron deficiency anemia can lead to severe complications, including developmental delays in children and heart failure. Research has also shown that iron deficiency anaemia can weaken your immune system — the body’s natural defence system. People with weak immune systems are prone to frequent infections.  

Vitamins 225x300 - Which Supplements You Should Be Taking Every Day for Optimum HealthVitamin D 

According to many experts, vitamin D is the most important nutrient we need. Our bodies cannot synthesize vitamins, therefore they must be taken in through food. With vitamin D, the situation is a little different, though, as it’s obtained naturally when the sunlight hits our skin and is very difficult to absorb from food alone.  

The Department of Health recommends that all adults (including breastfeeding and pregnant women) and children over 1 year of age should take a supplement that contains at least 400–800 IU/day of vitamin D, especially during winter and autumn, to prevent vitamin D deficiency, as we cannot produce enough vitamin D during that period. 

People over the age of 60 and those with darker skin should take vitamin D supplements all year round, as they are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. 

Probiotics 

Imagine your gut is a garden, because it basically is. Now think of probiotics as seeds in your gut that can soothe inflammation, boost brain health, support hormonal health, and more. Without seeds, there are no flowers. With a healthy diet, you should have enough good bacteria to maintain a healthy microbiome and replenish that bacteria on a daily basis. When you lose ‘good’ bacteria in your body (like after taking antibiotics), probiotics can help replenish them.

Probiotics have been linked to a wide range of health benefits, including digestive health, weight loss, improved immune function, and more. You can find them in different supplements and even some types of food, like yogurt. The proper probiotic dosage depends on the person, so you should talk to your doctor about what amount is best for you.