Nutritional Supplements Information – Stick with Well-Known Brands
There’s been a lot of discussion recently on nutritional supplements – that is, are they effective and do you really need them? If you eat a balanced diet, you are likely getting the vitamins and minerals you need, but what about supplements to improve your overall health and wellness?
What You Need
As you age, your body will feel the aches and pains after a five-mile run much more acutely than in your youth. In this case, a joint health formula will improve movement and alleviate stiffness. Depending on your lifestyle, you may benefit from other nutritional supplements as well, such as calcium to help guard against osteoporosis, Fish Oil and Flax Seed Oil for helping the immune system and other functions, and Whey Protein for building lean muscle, especially if you love to train in the gym.
Here is a brief overview of these nutritional supplements:
Complete Joint Health – If you are over 45 and hobble or feel pain in your knees or hips, a joint formula can help with comfort and flexibility as it helps to slow cartilage destruction and lubricate ligaments and synovial fluid. The best formula will include glucosamine, chondroitin sulfates, and HA (hyaluronic acid) that occur in connective tissues naturally, plus MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) which helps the body make collagen, and DMG (Dimethylglycine) which does a range of things for joint health. You don’t have to peruse the label for these items – if it is a quality complete joint health formula, such as Move Free Advanced , they are included. The best part is you will notice a difference in a few days since glucosamine is a very fast-acting product. (Note: these are natural nutrients so taking 2 to 4 capsules a day will not upset your stomach.)
Calcium – Helps build strong bones and teeth, eases symptoms of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), reduces the risk of developing colon polyps, and provides a host of other benefits. Most women need to take a calcium supplement (the recommended daily dosage is 1000 to 1500 mg per day), as well as magnesium which aids in the absorption of calcium. The third component necessary is Vitamin D, which the body needs to absorb the calcium and magnesium.
Flaxseed Oil – This is a relatively inexpensive nutritional supplement. It provides Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids that supports cardiovascular and immune system functions, and promotes healthy skin and hair. It also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Like joint formula, flax seed oil is made from natural compounds and won’t upset your stomach or cause constipation.
Fish Oil – Fish is one of the best foods for maintaining health, but most people don’t eat the recommended diet of fatty fish twice a week. Fish oil contains omega 3 fatty acids, which along with Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), is cardio-protective. These nutrients also help to support cell membrane structure and much more. Skip the cheap supermarket brands and get a quality product, such as those sold by Smooth Fitness . These special capsules prevent the fish oil from being digested in the stomach, allowing them to pass to the small intestine for optimum absorption.
Whey Protein – Although best known as a sports nutrition supplement, whey is the best quality of protein to feed your body what it needs. While protein is found naturally in many foods, whey protein from milk provides the highest value of branched-chain amino acids. Not only does whey protein help support the immune system as an antioxidant, it is also used for increasing lean muscle tissue and reducing appetite.
Preventing Potential Problems
You may not feel you need them now, but many people can benefit from dietary supplements during certain times in their lives. For example, people with food allergies, pregnant women, vegetarians, and senior citizens get help from these nutrients as well as people who simply do not eat a balanced diet. You shouldn’t wait until you see confirmed signs of problems to begin them either as these supplements can help the body to relieve symptoms early. You should consult your physician before starting on any supplements.
Once you decide that you want to try supplements, stick with products made by well-known brands. Consumer Reports tests have found that mainstream brands are more consistent in quality, contain the labeled amounts of ingredients with no contaminants, and adequately dissolve in the digestive system. As with anything, just don’t overdo it. Nutritional supplements are safe provided you do not exceed the recommend dosage.
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