What are Supplements?
Supplements are just that — supplements, not replacements. They cannot replace a healthy diet, but can help keep the body strong and well by focusing on prevention and support. They can also help to address specific health needs such as joints, heart, brain, etc. Research-based benefits of particular nutrients can often be hard to obtain from diet alone, thus… supplements!
Need help determining which supplements are right for you? Here’s a list of popular supplements and why you might take them, too.
Top 12 Most Popular Supplements
Vitamin A: Essential for growth, development and a healthy immune system. Supports healthy vision and skin.
Experts say… Do not consume more than 8,000 IU daily from diet and supplements combined, especially if pregnant.
Antioxidants: Helps protect the body against damage from free radicals due to such factors as air pollution, sunlight, smoking, exercise, poor diet and stress.
Experts say… A mixture of antioxidant-containing foods offer a greater benefit than each item alone due to the synergy and the additive effects of the ingredients.
Vitamin B: Necessary for energy, brain function and stress management.
Experts say… Supplementation is recommended due to its poor stability during cooking, incomplete bioavailability and potential for malabsorption.
Vitamin C: Supports healthy immune and brain function. Vital for connective tissue (such as collagen) formation. Helps protect skin from free radicals.
Experts say… It can be difficult to obtain adequate levels through food sources alone because vitamin C is sensitive to light, air, and heat. Significant loss of vitamin C can also occur with storage and processing of fruits and vegetables.
Calcium: Provides critical support for healthy bones and healthy hearts
Experts say… Although it is never too late to support and nourish your bones, early intervention through adequate calcium intake, regular exercise, and a diet rich in fresh, unprocessed foods will help prevent bone loss in later years.
Vitamin D: Plays a major role in bone development and appears to have a beneficial effect on many of the body’s systems.
Experts say… Most people cannot get needed levels of vitamins D opens in a new tab and vitamin E from recommended diets.
Vitamin E: Supports healthy cholesterol levels and your body’s fight against the damaging effect of free radicals.
Experts say… Vitamin E and mixed carotenoids may enhance skin protection.
EFAs (Essential Fatty Acids): Vital for numerous functions in the body, including a healthy cardiovascular system, brain, mood, joints and skin.
Experts say… Those who eat more polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3s, may be more likely to do better on short-term memory tests.
Fiber: Supports normal blood sugar levels, hunger, cholesterol levels and a healthy intestine.
Experts say… Dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber found in inulin, oatmeal and barley, can help keep blood sugar levels balanced.
Multivitamins: Contain beneficial nutrients that may be difficult to obtain from food sources alone. Act as nutritional “insurance.”
Experts say… Many Americans are falling short in a number of nutrients including vitamins E, A, and C, and magnesium. Other nutrients that may be potential problems include calcium, vitamin K, potassium, and dietary fiber.
Probiotics: Play an important role in digestion, supporting the immune system and intestinal health.
Experts say… Obesity affects the diversity of gut flora, and while the research is preliminary, researchers speculate that probiotic opens in a new tab supplementation may help to balance metabolism.
Protein powders: Protein provides amino acids, vital for lean muscle tissue growth and repair, as well as cellular metabolism.
Experts say… Your body may get sufficient levels of protein from foods you eat, but if you are looking for additional support protein powder, normally providing about 15g protein with no saturated fat, is an option. Most are vegetarian and some varieties are dairy free or vegan.
Now that you have the scoop on some of the popular supplements that are available in our Whole Body department, tell us what supplements will be in your basket?
