Nutritional supplements can be used to give you more energy, strengthen your immune system and to help repair muscle tissue. They are also known as functional foods which are foods that have an impact on health beyond basic nutrition.
Food alone does not provide all of the nutrients our bodies need – especially minerals, vitamins and other minor elements that are often referred to as micronutrients. We can find these essential ingredients in the food we eat, but not always in sufficient amounts.
The main reason we take supplements is to make up for what we can’t get in our diet. Some people do not eat a balanced diet, some have dietary restrictions due to allergies or intolerances and sometimes it is the cost that makes finding adequate food difficult.
Supplementing your diet can be a great way to make sure you are absorbing everything you need from the foods you eat, and a good thing to do if you are concerned about your health (or want to increase your energy levels).
Top reasons we need to take supplements
There are several reasons that we would be taking them:
1. Better health
Supplements are necessary to provide the essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients our bodies need to be healthy and function properly. Without them, you could run into problems like stress-related disorders and low resistance for disease. Supplements will help your body’s immune system get stronger, and also help your body function better overall.
As we get older, our bodies have less ability to absorb nutrients from what we eat and the body’s energy requirements rise and the digestive system slows down. Supplements packed with vitamin and minerals help to maintain peak physical performance during your prime years and beyond. They can be taken for a short time, or long term.
They may also be used as an aid during periods when we are more likely to get ill and need protection such as when we have the cold or flu. Another time they are used is during times of severe stress which may include illness, pregnancy and menstruation.
Vitamins, minerals and herbs have proven benefits for healthy bodies, from improving mood to boosting energy and aiding digestion.
If you feel tired or fatigued, a multivitamin is a good place to start. Multivitamins are a good way to fix a nutritional deficiency, if you’re feeling energy-depleted.
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2. Poor eating habits
It is important to eat a healthy diet, but it can be hard to get all of the nutrients that we need from foods. Because of this, we can benefit from taking nutritional supplements.
In this modern world we are living in, we often do not stop to eat proper meals. This makes it necessary for us to take supplements to enhance our diets and add important nutrients to our diets.
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3. Cell damage
As we age, our cells become less efficient, with declining energy and repair capacity. This leads to a build up of toxins in the body that need to be removed and excess nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that should be made available to the body. This can only be achieved by taking supplements.
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4. Athletic activities
When we exercise, our bodies need more nourishment and energy. Our diets may not provide enough of the essential nutrients needed to support muscle growth and recovery after a workout. Supplements are filled with nutrients that your body needs.
As an athlete, you will live a more active lifestyle, which means that your body requires more vitamins and minerals. Athletes who overwork their bodies have the greatest need for supplements.
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5. Environment
As the quality of our food and environment has declined due to exposure to toxins, our bodies have had to work harder to protect and detoxify. Therefore, it is important that we add in nutritional supplements to help our bodies do what they were meant to do on their own.
6. Stress
Supplements are so important in today’s world. You are constantly being exposed to stress in your daily life. Stress can cause you to have a variety of issues and puts your body at risk for many different things, especially having a low resistance to diseases. It is vital to take supplements daily because of the stresses of our lives, and also the foods we eat that are not as nutritious as they once were.
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Consult with a doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement.
Read also: Best Nutrition Supplement Brands You Can Trust + Supplements Selection Guide