Probably all of us know people around us who take food supplements. Many of them swallow countless of these pills because they think their body needs them. But which food supplements does your body really need, or does your body need food supplements at all?
As in most cases, there are supplements that are useful for you, but as always, their intake should not be exaggerated. But the more active you are, the more your nutrient stores will be depleted.
It is always important to check with your doctor before taking any additional minerals, vitamins or other supplements.
You may even want to have a blood test done to see if a supplement is a good idea for you to avoid toxicity from high levels. In the text below I have listed 3 important supplements that may help you.
Iron
Do you feel depressed and lacking energy? Then it could be that your body has too little iron. Iron deficiency can be easily diagnosed, all it takes is a blood sample taken by a doctor. Iron
You need iron to form haemoglobin, which is a component of red blood cells. With the help of haemoglobin, your blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the cells, where it is used in a chemical process to produce energy.
Calcium
Calcium helps protect our bones. However, as we age, the ability to store this mineral in our bones slows down. Calcium can be obtained from a variety of food sources such as dairy products and fish.
Adding a calcium supplement can be particularly helpful for runners and martial artists who are at increased risk of a stress fracture.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D requirements are normally stimulated to 80-90% by exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D plays an essential role in regulating blood calcium levels and in bone formation. It thus plays a key role in bone mineralisation. It also has an influence on muscle strength and contributes to a functioning immune system.
But even when taking vitamin D, you should check with your doctor beforehand, because an overdose can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and, in the worst case, kidney damage.
There are useful dietary supplements, as you have now learned. However, you should consult your doctor before taking them.
