Health Benefits of Daily Supplements

We try to eat right (most of the time). We do our best to include nutrient-dense foods in our everyday diet. Sometimes, though, we might veer off our healthy-eating path and have a donut for breakfast. Or, on a super-busy day, you might find yourself cruising through the closest drive-through to grab dinner for the family. When those little slip-ups turn into habits, you may be looking at nutrient deficiency.

Nutritionists and dietitians encourage us to get most of our nutrients via a diverse, healthful diet. In theory, this is a great idea. In practice, it is quite difficult to create and maintain a diet inclusive of all of the micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins our bodies require to function at their optimal levels.

Daily Supplement for Optimal Nutrition

This is where benefits of daily supplements come in. Certain nutrients are difficult to obtain from food in general. Vitamin D, for example, is essential for bone health, digestion, heart health, and cancer prevention. Absorption and creation of vitamin D is the tricky part; our bodies naturally make vitamin D when we are exposed to direct sunlight. While that sounds nice and simple, it’s not. Our skin can only take a limited amount of sun exposure without the protection of sunscreen, so we cannot rely on the natural production of this essential vitamin. In fact, most dermatologists advise against unprotected sun exposure as a way to obtain vitamin D.

Additionally, people who live in northern climates (think rainy Seattle or even Upper Michigan) simply cannot rely on regular sun exposure. Milk and other dairy products are good food sources of vitamin D, but those who are lactose intolerant or vegan will have to rely on fortified soy milk and orange juice. Taking a daily supplement of vitamin D containing clean, non-GMO ingredients is the easiest and most efficient way to ensure an adequate intake.

Boost Good Fats for Improved Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fatty fish (such as salmon), leafy green vegetables (think spinach), and some nuts and seeds. Keep in mind, though, that these foods provide different components of omega-3s. Fish contain EPA and DHA, while nuts and seeds are good sources of alpha-linolenic acid.

Omega-3s are essential for maintaining healthy levels of triglycerides (blood fats). When elevated, triglycerides contribute to poor heart health. Omega-3s are also believed to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, help regulate depression, and even help prevent diabetes. You need to consume rather large quantities of these foods to meet your body’s daily requirements of omega-3. Fish oil supplements have long been touted as the solution. Daily supplements that contain quality omega-3 fatty acids are a great solution. Vegans, for example, eschew all animal products, so it is nearly impossible for them to obtain DHA and EPA from their diets.

Speaking of vegans—they often have trouble getting enough other vital nutrients from their food intake alone. Since vegans don’t consume any animal products, they need to be creative when seeking out sources of key nutrients, including protein, omega-3, and other amino acids. Vegans benefit from taking daily supplements to fill the nutritional holes in their diets.

But it’s not just vegans on restrictive diets who should follow these guidelines and take daily supplements. Anyone who fails to follow a pitch-perfect, nutrient-dense diet every single day needs to look to supplements as an insurance policy.

And let’s be honest: That pretty much includes all of us (remember that donut we talked about earlier?). Just be sure to consume high-quality, non-GMO, clean supplements to augment your diet. Then, you won’t feel as guilty when you hit the drive-through once in a while after a long, exhausting day.