Supplement Series Part One

Chances are you think you meet the requirements of ALL the nutrients your body needs, but the truth is, you probably don't. You might consume enough of one nutrient, but not enough of another. It's difficult to consume all the nutrients you need with food alone, no matter how healthy you eat.

Where to even begin with so much information and opinions on supplements! To save you from taking in all this information at once, an amazing friend of mine gave me this idea to break it up and do a series. Over the next few weeks I will write about my favorite supplements I like to use, the benefits and where you can purchase them.

Acceptance

It's hard to accept, but you aren't alone in the matter. We all want to say we eat enough fruits and vegetables every day. But ask yourself this, "Do I eat a total of ten fruits and vegetables daily?" If you answered yes, pat yourself on the back! I'm a healthy individual and I don't even do this!

If you think it's nothing but a waste of money to purchase supplements to add to your daily routine then you should stop reading here. For the remainder of this blog series I will share with you my favorite supplements I use and why they are so important to take. If you're indecisive about the topic, I hope you take the time to read through this and consider your options or what you might be missing. Don't forget to subscribe to my site so you don't miss this series!

These are only suggestions to take into consideration, they are not a cure. It is always good to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement routine.

There are some vitamins that if taken in high doses can cause toxicity in the body. Make sure to look up which ones can cause toxicity and pay attention to dosages and what your doctor recommends.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C supports your #immune system. This is a key supplement to a person's health and aids your body in fighting off free radicals (Mayo Clinic: Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation from the sun, X-rays or other sources. Free radicals might play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases).

You can get vitamin C from several fruits and vegetables (highly recommended), some have higher levels than others. However, when it comes to flu season it doesn't hurt to add a little extra to your day to fight off disease and infections easier. I personally like the drinkable Emergen-C packets in the super orange flavor. You can find them in different flavors and supply amount on Amazon. Find a 30 day supply here or a 60 day supply here. You can also find Emergen-C at Walmart here. Vitamin C has several benefits other than fighting off illness in the winter time. When taken regularly, it boosts your immune system, reduces your risk of chronic disease, might be able to help manage #highbloodpressure, and may reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent #gout attacks. If you are low on iron (getting labs done at your yearly doctor visit can tell you this) it can help prevent iron deficiency and vitamin C protects your memory and thinking as you age. When combining the foods you consume and a supplement, it's recommended not to go over 2,000mg of vitamin C a day. Too much can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal cramps, headache or insomnia.

Fish oil

There are so many benefits to taking a #fishoil supplement! It can reduce your risk of #diabetes, #cardiovasculardisease, #stroke, and #jointpain. This supplement helps lubricate our joints so we don't ache as much every time we stand up. Not only can it do all of these things but it helps your immune system stay healthy. It can also increase the levels of important enzymes in our bodies to help boost our calorie burning ability. You heard me right. Fish oil can help us burn more calories! It sets our bodies up to burn fat and allow for muscle growth. What's the catch? There are some things you want to look for when choosing the right fish oil supplement. The fish oil should contain 300-600mg of EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Fish oil supplements can be made from several types of fish, the ones you want to look for are salmon, menhaden, anchovy, sardine, or crilla. Choose a supplement that contains one or more of these fish. Click here to see the brand I like to use from Amazon or the one I use at Walmart here. It's always good to consult with your doctor first, but you can take this supplement multiple times a day. Start off small to see how your body handles it and go from there.

Not all of these supplements will be right for you. But they contain certain elements that we don't get when we aren't consuming enough of certain foods. For example, I don't eat fish regularly so the fish oil is a great addition to my daily routine.

In part two of the series I will be going over protein and creatine. Remember to go back and subscribe to my blog to get notified about these future posts.