Health Supplements - Essential or Not?
Health supplements have become more and more popular in recent years. With the busy lifestyles people live today, we do not often get the essential nutrients we need on a daily basis. So is it necessary to take health supplements? Maybe so, if you are not eating a well-balance diet on a regular basis. Many people could benefit from a good daily multivitamin and mineral health supplements. Certain nutrients are necessary for different people at different times in their lives. Women who are planning to become pregnant should take folic acid and keep taking it while they are pregnant until they deliver. Folic acid is essential for the development of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Folic acid can be found naturally in brussel sprouts, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, beans, fortified breakfast cereals, and oranges, but it is still essential to take addition folic acid health supplements.
An essential nutrient, teenagers, women and particularly those concerned about osteoporosis is calcium. Calcium can be found in dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt; dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, and white bread. You can also buy orange juice and other foods that have calcium added. Calcium is essential for children with growing bones and for adults and older adults for maintaining healthy bones. Calcium is also an essential in building healthy teeth. Calcium health supplements such as Viactiv are on the market.
Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium. It is also essential for the building and maintaining of strong and healthy bones. Older men and women (over the age of 55), pregnant and breastfeeding women, young children, and those concerned about osteoporosis should consider taking a Vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D can be found in all dairy products, oily fish, and eggs.
Iron is an essential nutrient for the body because it builds hemoglobin which is in red blood cells. Iron can be found in liver, red meat, beef, pork, fish, shellfish, whole grain cereals, eggs, spinach, chicken, and leafy green vegetables. Signs of iron deficiency are anemia, brittle nails, sore tongue, cracking in the corners of the mouth, tiredness, muscle fatigue, skin itching, dizziness, headache, insomnia, brittle hair and hair loss. Women during child bearing years may need to take iron health supplements. Women who experience heavy menstrual losses may need to be supplementing iron into their diet.
Vitamin C is a nutrient which is an antioxidant and helps the body’s white blood cells fight infection and disease and heals founds. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruit (especially citrus fruits), fruit juices, and vegetables. You may want to take health supplements of Vitamin C if you are over the age of 55, live very busy and active lives, are exposed to pollution, suffering from a cold, or if you smoke.
There are health supplements available for many, many other essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Beta carotene, and Zinc. Many people include health supplements such as garlic, peppermint, ginseng, cod liver oil, and St. John’s Wart.
Before taking any health supplements, gather information about vitamins and minerals, and consult your doctor to determine if supplementing your diet is necessary.