Today there are more nutrition supplements on the market than ever before, and supplement recommendations by health experts keep changing.
How do you know which supplements to take, and which ones should you buy?
Do you even need nutrition supplements at all?
What are Nutrition Supplements?
Nutrition supplements are caplets, tablets, capsules, liquids or powders that contain vitamins or other nutrients. Our bodies need vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to function, and many of them cannot be produced within the body.
Whatever vitamins or other nutrients are “missing” in your diet can be taken in through nutritional supplements.
If you eat a very health, nutritious diet, you may not need nutrition supplements. If your diet is less than ideal, supplements can be a way to give your body the nutritional support it needs to keep you healthy.
What Supplements do I Need?
Your doctor can tell you about special supplements you may need depending on your diet, medical history and overall health condition. But for most people, a daily multi-vitamin supplement is all that is needed.
What Kind of Multi-vitamin is Best?
It’s a good idea to take a multi-vitamin that is designed for your gender or age. Children should take children’s multi-vitamins, for instance. Seniors and women over 50 are two other groups that will find plenty of options for multi-vitamins that meet their unique nutritional needs.
You don’t have to buy the most expensive brand of specialty multi-vitamin. Store brand vitamins for women over 50 for example probably have the same ingredients as the more expensive name brands.
You can check labels to compare the amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients various brands of nutrition supplements contain.
How Much of Each Vitamin or Mineral Do I Need?
Unless you doctor gives you specific guidelines, assume that an amount around 100% RDI of each vitamin or mineral listed is fine. Taking in more than 150% of the RDI for some vitamins and minerals can actually cause uncomfortable side effects.
Should I Buy Natural or Synthetic Supplements?
That’s a personal choice. There’s no scientific evidence that one works better within the body than the other, except in the case of Vitamin E. If you’re supplementing Vitamin E for a health condition, choose a natural supplement.
One big difference between natural and synthetic vitamins is cost. Natural supplements usually cost more than synthetic supplements.
Do Nutrition Supplement Additives Matter?
Unless you’re allergic to an added ingredient or it affects your health adversely, don’t avoid supplements that contain starch or sugar. These additives can actually help your body absorb vitamins and other nutrients more easily.
Do Expiration Dates Matter?
This depends on the nutrition supplement manufacturer. To be sure the supplements you take are potent enough to be of value, check expiration dates and only take fresh supplements.
Nutrition supplements don’t have to be complicated or confusing. Take a daily multi-vitamin supplement that contains around 100% of the RDI of most vitamins and minerals.
Look for sales and discounts on quality multi-vitamins, check expiration dates, and you’ll find nutrition supplements are as affordable as they are easy to choose.
Comments on this entry are closed.