There’s always been question about the effectiveness of some supplements. Do they harm you, help you or simply make your urine more expensive? Is that vitamin C you took to ward off a cold boosting your immunity? Does the fish oil replace eating fatty fish? There are a lot of questions when it comes to supplements, because so many people take them. In fact, over half of America takes at least one supplement every day. Unless you have a physical problem, chances are, you probably don’t need supplements if you eat healthy food, but they’re good if you have some dietary deficiencies.
Some conditions may require supplementation.
While many people take supplements to help prevent serious conditions or for chronic illness, often there aren’t studies showing they’re beneficial. However, sometimes, doctors even prescribe them. Iron is often prescribed for women that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Babies need vitamin D and women of childbearing age should take folic acid to help prevent birth defects. There is some evidence that supplementing the diet with vitamins D, C and E can help. Just as calcium supplements can also help.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that’s helps you sleep.
IF you’re eating adequate amounts of kale, spinach and other food with magnesium, you don’t need it. However, that would require approximately 50 cups a day. In this case, supplementing with magnesium might be helpful, it’s necessary for all types of processes throughout the body. Vitamin C comes from red bell peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits and papaya, but if you don’t get enough, supplementation can help as an antioxidant. Fish oil or krill oil provides fatty acids you’d get from wild fish or grass fed beef. It helps reduce inflammation, improves the brain and aids in muscle growth. Shellfish, nuts and legumes provide zinc that helps combat viruses and boost body chemical responses.
Vitamin A can be a healthy supplement, but you can get too much of a good thing.
One of the benefits of eating your nutrition, rather than popping a pill, is that your body flushes out the nutrients it doesn’t need. Fat soluble vitamins, like vitamin A, can have negative reactions when you take too much. It can cause toxicity that leads to cracked lips, headache, weakness, thinning hair all over the body and dry skin. If you’re taking other medications or are in treatment, vitamins can also interfere with their effectiveness.
- Always talk to your physician or health care provider before taking supplements. He or she can help you decide on the best route to take when it comes to supplementation.
- While there’s a danger of taking too much protein powder, it can help to supplement your diet when you’re building muscle tissue. It’s another issue to discuss with your health care professional.
- Besides health dangers, supplements can be costly. Many supplements don’t break down in your system and are flushed down the drain in the bathroom. Supplements also don’t contain the phytonutrients that food contains and required to help the body use the vitamin or mineral in the supplement.
- Eating healthy should always be the first line of defense for your health. At Gym Slayer, we can provide a planned menu that fills all the gaps for your nutritional needs. It will be based on your food preferences and caloric needs.
For more information, contact us today at Gym Slayer