Sifting Through Supplements What Do You Really Need to Be Taking
EducationSifting Through Supplements What Do You Really Need to Be Taking
When treading into the deep and murky waters of supplements, herbal remedies, vitamins, diet pills, sports drinks, protein shakes and bars, it is crucial to learn supplement basics. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and new research is always coming to light. Supplements can be to keep in stock and confusing to understand. Do not believe every big-letter boast on labels. Pretty colors and a "100% guarantee or your money back" mean nothing when you start suffering side effects.
Keep it simple. Supplement basics stand on a mix of factors including gender, age, health history, location and even ethnicity. For starters, everyone needs to be taking a gender-specific multivitamin. A woman’s multi will have folate or folic acid which is crucial during the child-bearing years, while a man’s multi might have ingredients that improve or maintain prostate health. Children and adults alike need Omega fatty acids to support brain development. Babies in utero and infants up to two years of age have brains that aren’t fully formed. They need a diet rich in healthy fats from nuts, fish, and whole grains whether it comes from the placenta, mama’s milk, formula or solid foods. Our brains are made out of fat, and these healthy oils also help fight cancer and other diseases.
Know what you are taking before you take it. Vitamin C boosts your immune system, preventing or maybe evening shortening a cold or the flu. The B vitamins improve mood and energy. Potassium can ward off calf cramps. As far as herbs, St. John’s Wort helps with mood and menstrual issues. Chamomile and lavender are useful for sleep and relaxation, either in the form of aromatherapy or via hot tea. What about activated charcoal instead of that pink stuff for tummy trouble? Don’t forget about Zinc for acne and colds, licorice root for sore throats, nettle leaf for allergies, and raspberry leaf for improving uterine contractility during labor…. The list of basic supplements seems endless, but once you get the hang of it, you'll see how it all fits together.
Read labels. Know what those big words mean. Learn to recognize filler ingredients and research the people behind the product. Shaklee, Puritan's Pride, Essential Wholesale, Nature Made, Juice Plus and many others are quality labels that are researched, tried and trusted. Teas and tinctures, essential oils and extracts, herbs and homeopathy are all enough to boggle the mind. If you want to try a natural remedy for any ailment, but you have doubts, talk to your medical doctor or naturopath before you consume the product in question. Make sure it won't interact with any other medications you are taking. Confirm before you consume.
The most important supplement you can take is one that is internationally known to dramatically improve your social life. It's the only vitamin that is guaranteed to work within a few days. Indeed, at the core of all supplement basics lies the Friendship Vitamin: B-1 (to have a friend, you must "be one").
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