Did you know that dietary supplement use reached an all-time high in 2019, with 77% of Americans reporting they take nutritional supplements on a daily basis?
Despite this, many people who take supplements daily don’t fully understand the actual benefits of supplements and may not be taking enough supplements to make noticeable improvements to their overall health and well-being.
So, you’ll want to tune in and keep reading to learn all about the benefits of health supplements and see which supplements you should use in your daily life!
Improves Your Cognitive Abilities
Not only does your body go through physical changes as you age, but your mind does too.
Your brain starts to go through changes that can cause a slight decrease in certain areas of your cognition. These changes include:
- Increased inflammation
- Reduction of connectivity between brain and nerve cells
- Loss of volume in the brain’s memory and planning area
- A slight decrease in blood flow in the brain
You’ll start to notice subtle symptoms like thinking at a slower pace, mild difficulty with paying attention, and slight difficulties with multitasking.
Dietary supplements that contain fatty acids like omega-3 or natural amino acids like L-theanine can help improve your mental performance and boost your mental alertness.
If you’re looking for a place to start, you can check out this high-quality brain supplement.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
While stressful events are a fact of life, long-term chronic stress can seriously impact your emotional and physical health.
Stress puts you at risk for developing health problems such as:
- Problems sleeping
- Weight gain
- Problems with concentration and memory
- Problems with digestion
- Heart disease and high blood pressure
- Anxiety and depression
- Muscle pain and tension
Some of the best health supplements you can take to reduce the overall stress you’re feeling include:
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that regulates different processes in your body and is essential to keep your nerves and muscles functioning normally.
Magnesium improves brain function by regulating neurotransmitters, which are responsible for sending messages throughout the brain and body. As a result, it reduces anxiety, depression, and the amount of stress you’re feeling overall.
Women should take between 310 and 320 mg daily, and men should take between 400 and 420 mg of magnesium. When taking magnesium supplements, it’s best to take magnesium oxide or magnesium sulfate.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone made in the pineal gland that’s released once it gets dark. It helps regulate your internal body clock and also can help reduce anxiety levels.
You can easily find melatonin supplements in most health food stores, and they typically come in capsules or tablets.
Boosts Your Heart Health
Heart disease is the most common health problem Americans face today, and over 800,000 people die each year from heart disease.
You can decrease your chances of developing heart disease by eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep.
Dietary supplements can also play a key role in getting your heart health where it needs to be. There are recommended dietary supplements for optimal heart health, which include:
- Fiber
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- L-Carnitine
- Magnesium
- Coenzyme Q10
- Grape seed extract
- Garlic
You’ll also want to consider folic acid and vitamin B supplements to lower the levels of homocysteine in your body, which is an amino acid linked to heart disease.
Improves Your Immune System
Stress, lack of sleep, and chronic diseases can wreak havoc on your immune system.
You’ve likely heard that dietary supplements like vitamin C boost your immune function when you have a cold or viral illness. However, it’s best to make a habit of taking supplements daily to give your immune system the push it really needs.
So, consider adding additional supplements like vitamin D, zinc, elderberry, and selenium to your daily regimen.
Gives Your Body Enough Nutrients
It’s no secret that many Americans don’t eat as healthy as they should be. When you’re busy with work and family, it’s all too easy to stop and eat fast food or make unhealthy meal choices.
While it’s important to work to improve your overall eating habits, dietary supplements are one of the best ways to get the nutrients you need into your body quickly.
On a daily basis, you’ll need to ensure you’re taking vitamins such as:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Iron and folic acid
You should also consider taking omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements to reduce your cholesterol levels and overall inflammation in your body.
Helps With Your Vision
When you age, your vision can start to deteriorate too, and a poor diet can put you at risk for developing conditions like macular degeneration.
To help keep your eyes and body healthy, consider adding supplements like zinc, copper, and selenium to your daily diet.
Also, vitamins A, C, and E are effective at reducing your risk of developing macular degeneration as they play a crucial role in keeping the retinal cells in your eyes healthy.
Keeps Your Bones Strong and Healthy
It’s vital to think about your bone health as you age. Your bones are affected by your overall nutrition, activity levels, and the natural changes in hormone levels.
Your bones also become more brittle as you age, and your risk for developing osteoporosis increases.
You likely already know that getting enough calcium is key to keeping your bones healthy, but you’ll also need enough vitamin D in your diet.
Calcium helps to build and maintain your bones, while vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. So, when you take calcium supplements, check to ensure they contain vitamin D.
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Supplements
Now that you’re more aware of some of the benefits of supplements, you can start incorporating them into your daily life.
Remember, if you’re taking prescription medications, make an appointment with your doctor first. You’ll want to ensure the supplements you’re taking won’t interact with your current medications.
If you’re ready for more health and fitness tips, check out the rest of our blog for other inspiring articles!
