For those individuals who would like to live a healthier lifestyle but feel like they sometimes don’t get all of the nutrients they need, dietary supplements may be the perfect solution. Dietary supplements come in a variety of forms, including vitamins, minerals, herbs, enzymes, amino acids, and probiotics.
Some of the most common varieties of dietary supplements include:
- Multivitamins – Multivitamins are exactly what their name implies. They contain a number of different vitamins (and sometimes minerals, too) essential to human function, and are usually taken once daily. Typically, multivitamins are formulated for a specific age group and gender, such as for children, men, women, and senior citizens.
- Single Vitamin and Mineral Supplements – Some supplements contain large quantities of a specific vitamin or mineral, such as vitamin C, calcium, or beta carotene. While they can be purchased over-the-counter by anyone, these supplements are usually taken by people who have been told by their doctor that they are deficient in certain vitamins or minerals. For example, people dealing with anemia may take iron supplements.
- Probiotics and Dietary Enzymes – These supplements are designed to aid your digestive system, and are helpful for people who suffer frequently from upset stomachs or other digestive issues. Probiotics function by increasing the number of helpful bacteria in your intestines, where the microbes help to digest food and boost your immune system, while dietary enzymes supply extra quantities of the same enzymes your body already uses to break down food.
- Amino Acid and Nutrient Aids – These are supplements designed to help the body function more efficiently and protect it from damage and disease. A good example of this category is fish oil pills, which are full of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are said to be ideal for reducing inflammation and encouraging heart health.
When choosing dietary supplements, always make sure to consult your doctor to see how they fit into your current diet and lifestyle. While most supplements are available over-the-counter, it is important to check with your doctor anyway to make sure that you will not experience any side effects, especially if you are taking more than one supplement, are pregnant, suffer from heart conditions or diabetes, or are taking supplements in conjunction with prescription medication.
At The Quarters, we are dedicated to our Lady Lake apartment residents, and we hope that these guidelines will help you lead a happy, healthy, lifestyle.
