The Right Dietary Supplements For An Active Lifestyle

A good dose of Vitamin C, for instance, is very crucial for maintaining good bone, blood vessels, and skin health. It is a potent antioxidant

Living a healthy life requires eating healthy. For most people, that's a pretty tough task to accomplish. A 2013 study showed that most adults aged 21 to 30 do not consume the recommended daily amounts of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. In fact, several studies have shown that at least 80% of people around the world do not eat well enough for the right amounts of nutrients they need. One of the most common excuses among professionals is the lack of time to make good food.

Improvements in technology, the newly-entrenched work-from-home culture, widening sedentary lifestyle, and reduced physical activities among workers across the world are other factors that have made the situation more complicated. This lifestyle hampers physical and mental health and there's a need to eat the right foods and consciously embark on physical exercises to maintain good health.

The foregoing explains why corporate India, for instance, is replete with professionals grabbing a bite at the nearby cafe and indulging in junk foods on-the-go. This often results in a lack of a balanced diet which, fortunately, can be made up for with the right supplements. Dietary supplements help to provide the nutrients that are missing in the foods we eat, making them a very important component for our daily dietary routine.

Relevant dietary supplements for nutrition and health

A number of dietary supplements have been identified over the years as a great way to boost physical and mental health. When taken along with a healthy dose of physical exercise, dietary supplements can provide that extra boost of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, essential nutrients, herbs, and enzymes that your body needs. These come in the form of tablets, capsules, gummies, capsules, drinks, energy bars, and even powder.

Vitamins and minerals are considered essential nutrients — because acting in concert — they perform hundreds of roles in the body. They help shore up bones, heal wounds, and bolster your immune system, and also convert food into energy and repair cellular damage.

A good dose of Vitamin C, for instance, is very crucial for maintaining good bone, blood vessels, and skin health. It is a potent antioxidant. Vitamin C is also quite effective in enhancing wound healing, boosting the immune system, and helping the body absorb iron. With some fruits and vegetables, you'll get naturally occurring vitamin C, but Vitamin C tablets are also a great way to get a good boost.

Iron and folic acid are essential for building red blood cells, specifically hemoglobin, a protein that bonds with oxygen to oxygen through the blood from the lungs to the cells throughout your body. Vegetarians need to consume almost twice as much iron daily because the iron in plant-based food is less available to the body than the iron found in animal products. Pregnant women and people with iron-deficient anemia may also need supplements.

There are eight different essential B vitamins — B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin). They all help convert carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. Several B vitamins are also necessary for cell development, growth and function.

There's also Vitamin A, called beta-carotene. It’s important for reproductive, vision and immune system health. Others like Omega, zinc, magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, and phosphorus are also very important supplements for overall health.

Calcium is crucial for bone development and growth in children. It is also responsible for the maintenance of strong bones in adults. Research suggests that Vitamin D also plays a vital role in bone health, as it regulates calcium in the blood. Apart from its role in bone health, calcium plays a role in muscle contraction and effective blood clotting as well.

Trace elements are also essential nutrients that your body needs to work properly, but in much smaller amounts than vitamins and minerals. They include iodine and fluorine. Trace elements are found in small amounts in a variety of foods such as meat, fish, cereals, milk and dairy foods, vegetables and nuts.

The good thing about supplements such as multivitamins and minerals is that most of them can be taken before or after meals, or even without meals in some cases. Before taking multivitamin tablets, always consult your doctor for advice. Some vitamins are also available in soft gel capsules, as chewing gums, and jellies. The aim is to provide those who require supplements a number of options for convenient consumption.