Even when you’re eating a well-balanced diet, you may be lacking some basic nutrients. Vitamins can give you that much-needed boost to feel great and maintain stable health. With so many available options, it can be confusing to know what you should or shouldn’t be taking.
In today’s blog post, let’s discuss four vitamins to include in your health routine and why you should be taking them.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is activated by UV rays and is one of the most common deficiencies. In fact, over one billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient, creating an “epidemic” according to experts. Vitamin D acts as both a vitamin and a hormone, making it essential to your health.
Since over 50 to 90 percent of vitamin D is absorbed through the skin, getting safe sun exposure is also key to creating healthy levels of this essential vitamin. If you live in an area that doesn’t get much sunlight or if your lifestyle requires you to stay indoors most of the day, you may need to supplement your sun exposure with a vitamin D pill or powders.
Vitamin B Complex
There are eight different B vitamins that make up the vitamin B complex. These vitamins affect your energy level, brain function, and immune system. Many B vitamins can be found in protein, such as fish, poultry, and meat, as well as dairy products. Unfortunately, most Americans, particularly those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, do not get enough vitamin B from food alone.
Probiotic
Lately, the idea of “gut health” has become an increasingly popular topic online – and for a good reason. The gut is made up of both good and bad bacteria. When your gut microbiome becomes imbalanced and the bad bacteria outweighs the good, a probiotic can help. With the biome affecting over 70 percent of the immune system, it is so important to keep your gut healthy!
Calcium
Calcium is vital for bone health but also plays a role in muscle and nerve health. Over 72 percent of this essential vitamin comes from dairy products; if you are vegan or lactose-intolerant, a supplement may be beneficial for you. Tofu, spinach, and soy are also great sources of calcium, so try to include these foods in your daily diet.
Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new supplement.
High amounts of some vitamins can cause some annoying side effects, so confirm your dosages with your primary care physician. It is also important to know that not every supplement is created equally. When buying supplements, look for third-party testing and the USP seal to ensure that the company has taken proper measures to create safe products.
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