The Comprehensive Guide to Nutrition and Supplements

Food is fabulous! Regrettably, not all food has what your body really needs for optimal health. Therefore, you can take supplements to make up for the vitamins you did not eat. Keep reading for some solid tips and tricks you can use to incorporate more vitamins into your life.

• Eat a diet that is very balanced in combination with a vitamin regimen. Try to consume at least five fruit and veggie portions daily along with a bit of protein. If you can’t do this, it’s a good idea to take vitamin supplements.
• Your bones rely on calcium to grow and stay strong. Sufficient quantities of vitamin D are necessary in order for your body to absorb calcium. You can get vitamin D through food, of course, as well as supplements or just spending time in the sun. No matter how you ingest vitamin D, it will help with the absorption of calcium in your body.
• Supplements that have fat in them need to be consumed with food, so take them with meals. For example, vitamins E, A, and K all apply. These particular vitamins need fat in order to work well.
• Milk and sun exposure are great vitamin D sources. Consider taking a vitamin D supplement if you do not get much sun or drink much milk. Vitamin D is vital for bone protection and prevents them from becoming brittle.
• Iron is crucial to red blood cell production. These cells are what transports oxygen in your body. Due to menstruation, women need iron supplements in higher doses than men. If you suffer from fatigue, you may need to have an iron deficiency.
• Vitamin B2 is an important part of your daily diet, and you can get this essential vitamin by eating bananas, dairy products, popcorn, green beans, and more. Deficiency can cause a host of symptoms, including decreased red blood cell counts and hemoglobin content, cracked lips, and scaly skin. Also, riboflavin can help you in your fight against cancer long-term.
• Vitamin A is essential; it is an antioxidant that boosts your immune system, decreases the risk of heart disease, improves vision, and slows the aging of skin. It’s a toxic supplement if you take way to much of it, but 2300 IU should do for you because that’s what’s recommended. Carrots, squash, and dark leafy greens are great sources of Vitamin A.
• Avoid prenatals if you’ve already gone through menopause. Many ladies that aren’t pregnant take prenatal vitamins to help grow out their nails and hair. Though this might be safe, post-menopausal women can receive too much iron by taking them.
• Unlike canned produce, fresh fruits and vegetables contain a plethora of nutrients. If your diet is not rich in nutrients, you may need to take a natural, easily absorbed vitamin or nutrient supplement.
• Living in a poor economy sometimes means we deprive our body of good nutrition by eating as cheap as possible at the local fast-food restaurant. To help ensure you are receiving the nutrients your body requires, consider taking a multivitamin.
• Question information sources about your supplements. Advertisements will just want you to buy their product. Make sure to question as often as possible. Should you have doubts, speak with your physician about the supplement.
• Exercise caution when you take supplements. Though your body benefits from minerals and vitamins, it is possible to overdose on them. This can happen when too much of a supplement is taken, and it can be extremely dangerous. The effects of vitamin overdose depend on the particular vitamin, but the result is almost always unpleasant and sometimes life-threatening.
• Eat raw or steamed veggies. When foods are cooked, vitamins may dissipate. Steaming your foods is one of the best ways to preserve the maximum amount of vitamins. Vegetables that are flash frozen still retain most of their vitamins, so be careful that you don’t overcook them.

Sometimes, we just can’t schedule a good nutritious meal. Learn all you can about vitamins and minerals, and use what you’ve learned in this article to boost your immune system and start leading a better life.