Everyone has some experience with dietary supplements, even if the last ones you took were shaped like cartoon characters. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know what to take or what really works.
Factors like age, gender, activity level, and dietary preferences can be a determinant in how much of a given nutrient you need. For example, someone in their 50s might be more in need of a bone-strengthening supplement versus someone in their 20s, and a pregnant woman may need to increase their intake of folate and iron. Supplements are NOT a substitute for a well-balanced diet, but they can fill in the nutritional gaps and help your body function at an optimal level. Other factors to also consider include long and short-term wellness goals, as well as you and your family’s medical history.
There is no one-size-fits-all regimen, but we’ve rounded up a list of supplements that are worth considering for your routine:
- Vitamin A: important for vision, healthy skin, and immunity.
- Vitamin B6: plays a role in nearly 200 biochemical reactions in the human body, and is best known for helping to regulate sleep cycles, appetite, and mood.
- Vitamin B7 (biotin): can boost metabolism, and is used to produce hair, skin, and nails.
- Vitamin B9 (folate): essential company of red blood cell formation, growth, and function. It’s particularly important for pregnant women to ingest folate during the first three weeks of pregnancy to minimize the risk of birth defects.
- Vitamin B12: aids in the production of energy and DNA, also keeps your red blood cells and nerve cells healthy.
- Vitamin C: water-soluble vitamin required for the synthesis of collagen and certain neurotransmitters. It’s essential for tissue growth and repair, and promotes a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin D: fat-soluble hormone that promotes calcium absorption, and is needed for bone growth. Necessary for the production of red blood cells and nerve cells.
- Vitamin E: protects cells against free radicals, supports a strong immune system.
- Vitamin K: can help your blood to clot and prevent excessive bleeding, promotes heart health.
- Omega-3s: a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid, important for the structures of cell membranes, energy production, and heart, lung, and immune system function.
- Probiotics: living microorganisms that support the microbiome in your gut, which facilitates digestion and immune response.
Whether you have a dedicated supplement routine, or are thinking about taking a multivitamin for the first time in years, our expert staff at The Juice Hive can help you find the right vitamins, minerals, and more for your lifestyle and wellness goals. Give us a call at 843-757-2899 to speak to one of our staff members, or stop by to browse our full selection of dietary supplements.
