There are so many supplements available on the market today. They are marketed as the magic pill that will help you lose weight, improve your health and overall well-being.
But what are the only supplements you need? There are only five supplements that you should consider taking to ensure that your body is getting what it needs. Continue reading below.
Whey Protein
Protein is a vital nutrient that is needed for your body to function. It is an important part of a healthy diet and should be included in every meal. Protein ensures that your muscles and other tissues can grow and repair themselves. It also provides energy for your brain and contributes to the development of new cells so you don’t age as quickly.
It’s not just about physical health, though! Protein can help with mental health as well as it stimulates hormones that control the moods, such as serotonin. Not getting enough protein can lead to a litany of ailments, including weakened bones, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. These can lead to future diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Whey protein is digested faster by the body, and I have a preference for whey isolate. Whey Protein Isolate is the purest form of protein and therefore costlier. You should use it if you’re lactose intolerant though, as it’s the only kind that doesn’t have any lactose content.
Creatine
Creatine supplements provide the needed boost for your muscles and is especially helpful for those who work out regularly.
Creatine is an organic acid that is naturally produced by the body. It plays a key role in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, which gives energy to muscles. The supplement also helps with muscle recovery after workouts, making it possible for people to gain more muscle mass. More muscle mass in turn helps you burn more calories, which helps with fat loss.
BCAA
It is not uncommon to hear about athletes who need to take amino acid supplements in order to maintain their performance in their sport.
BCAA stands for branched-chain amino acids which are made up of three specific amino acids: leucine, valine, and isoleucine. These are found in high levels in the muscles of the body, and they are made by the liver.
There are many benefits associated with taking BCAA supplements that include an increase in muscle synthesis, fatigue prevention, and even recovery after intense workouts. So it’s no surprise that BCAA has become one of the most popular supplements on the market today.
Though you can buy BCAA on its own, many protein powder supplements also have BCAA in them already, and at sufficient quantities. In this case, it is not necessary to buy BCAA supplements.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is an essential type of fat that your body can’t produce on its own (unless you take supplements) and contains omega 3. It helps control inflammation, which means it’s helpful for people with arthritis, asthma, and heart disease.
It also has other important effects on the body. For instance, studies have shown that fish oil lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. And it may help reduce symptoms of depression (although more studies are needed in this area).
Multivitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and usually other elements. They cannot be made by the human body and can only be obtained through food and supplements. Vitamins help the body carry out its normal functions and keep the body healthy.
Some people think that vitamins and minerals are unnecessary, but they really do play a huge role in your diet. For example:
- The human brain contains 60% water, which is an important component for delivering nutrients to brain cells.
- Vitamin C is used for repairing wounds as well as helping develop strong bones
- Vitamin D helps to absorb calcium into our bodies which helps maintain healthy and strong teeth and bones.
- Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting.
- Vitamin A improves eyesight.
- Magnesium aids in energy production.
Rather than taking individual vitamins, you could opt for multivitamins instead. Multivitamins contain the nutrients, minerals and vitamin A, D, E and K that your body needs on a daily basis, including those mentioned above.
You should start taking a multivitamin supplement if you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, because this is the best way to restore the nutrients that your body needs.
As stated above, a multivitamin supplement can give your body what it needs, but you should also focus on eating enough fresh fruits and vegetables to get all the vitamins and minerals that you need.
Conclusion
With so many supplements on the market and the power of marketing and advertisement, it can get confusing or even a tough job to figure out or decide what supplements to get. Just keep in mind that supplements are things that you add to your diets, and if you follow a clean and healthier diet full of fruit and veggies, you might not need to buy supplements at all. Don’t follow the craze.