Top 6 Dietary Supplements for Robust Health

 It's of great importance to boosting your immunity and health in general, especially during this Covid-19 crisis.

Making an effort to stay healthy can play a big role in mental and physical preparedness against the disease and any other infections that may arise.

How Can This be Done?

To stay healthy, you need to regularly exercise, eat a well-balanced diet and get enough sleep.

Also, you can use supplements to boost your immunity.

Dietary supplements that contain vitamins, herbs and certain minerals have shown to bolster immune response and can potentially protect against many forms of ailments.

Who Can They Mostly Benefit?

Supplements can be especially beneficial to people who require specialized care, including: 

• Pregnant mothers, those with allergies or intolerance.
•  Vegans.
•  People with autoimmune diseases like. Cystic fibrosis.
•  Those with hormonal imbalances.
•  Those following a course of antibiotics.

While shopping for supplements, it's important to choose from well-known brands such as Life Extension and Non-Foods to avoid knock-offs.

 We all know the emotional turmoil one undergoes after purchasing a product only to later realize it's of poor quality or even fake.

 Below are some of the best supplements in the market:

1. Omega 3- Fish Oil

It's one of the most common types of health supplements and is mostly available in the form of yellow capsules.

What Are Its Benefits?

It has numerous benefits such as;

1.  Reducing inflammation( heat, pain, redness, swelling and loss of function of a particular part of the body caused by the biological response of the body to harmful pathogens). 
2.  Reducing blood pressure.
3.  Reducing triglycerides(a type of fatty acids)
4. Reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack and managing common heart disease

• Probiotics and Prebiotics

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are living strains of bacteria that usually add to the flora of good bacteria in your digestive system. Yoghurt and fermented foods are a good source of beneficial bacterial strains.

What Are Prebiotics?

 Prebiotics, on the other hand, are specialized plant fibres which act as food for the good type of bacteria. 

These mostly come from types of carbs that humans can't digest and so make their way to the lower gut 

where they help the healthy bacteria to grow.

Why Are They Important?

They are both important in boosting the body's immunity and supporting intestinal health. 

The probiotics also form vitamin K and short-chain fatty acids that aid in keeping out harmful substances such as viruses and bacteria.

 After completing a dosage of antibiotics, it's important to take probiotics which restore the gut health since antibiotics may also kill the good type of bacteria.

• Folic Acid

For pregnant mothers and those planning to soon bring that bundle of joy into this world, this is the right supplement for you. The supplement can be taken days or even months before conception. 

What Are Its Benefits?

1. It's useful for the development of a healthy fetus.
2.  Folic acid significantly reduces the risk of birth defects such as abnormal brain or spine development. 
3. Reduces the risk of Pre-eclampsia and early labor in pregnant mothers.

• Vitamin D and Calcium

What Are Their Benefits?

Both are beneficial in keeping your bone structure strong and healthy. 

This eliminates the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis at later stages of life. Studies have shown that they may even have benefits beyond bone health since they also offer protection against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Who Can Benefit From This Type of Supplements?

1.  People who have limited access to sunlight, such as those that are bed-bound.
2. The elderly.
3.  Veiled men/women. 
4. People with lactose intolerance may also not get enough calcium which is normally found in milk products hence the need for the calcium supplements.

• Melatonin

This supplement targets people with sleeping disorders such as insomnia, delayed sleep phase and jet lag( flight fatigue). 

The hormone melatonin is naturally produced in the human body with the highest amounts produced at night to get that sound sleep. The production usually subsides at sunrise, where one has already acquired enough sleep. 

What Are Its Benefits?

It's essential for normal sleeping patterns translating into a healthy living.

• Antioxidants

What are Antioxidants?

These are molecules which studies have shown to counteract oxidative stress( a process that triggers cell damage).

 Oxidative stress brings about diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, macular degeneration( eye disease)  and even Alzheimer's disease.

What Are Their Benefits? 

The supplements contain these molecules which help in normal body functions. These include vitamins C and E, and selenium which are antioxidants useful in protecting the skin from damage.

             

          Bottom line

Supplements can be beneficial to the body but should not be substituted for a healthy balanced diet.

Keeping fit is also essential for good health.

Taking supplements you don't need can also be dangerous. Just like other drugs, taking the recommended dosage is essential for maximum benefits.

' Too much of something is poisonous', and this can lead to negative side effects which might do the body more harm than good. 

Unlike drugs, the regulation of dietary supplements is not as rigorous; hence the need to choose trusted brands.

"Health is not valued till sickness comes "- Thomas Fuller

Which supplements are more in sync with your health needs? Let me know in the comments section below: