Just looking at the shelves of a health store can be enough to make most people’s heads explode. There are so many different types of supplement available, and figuring out how they all work can seem like an impossible task.
That’s why you need to do lots of research. First you have to decide whether you need a supplement, and then you need to determine which of the million options is best for your specific circumstances.
There are two main reasons to take a supplement. They can be corrective or preventative. In other words, they can be used to try to fix an existing problem, or they can be used to try to prevent a problem in the future.
Most people get the nutrients they need from their diet. If you’re eating a balance of meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables, you should be receiving enough vitamins and minerals. In that case, you don’t need to take supplements. In fact, taking them to excess could cause you more health problems.
There are, however, people who don’t get adequate nutrition from their diet. This could be because they have a health condition that prevents their body from properly processing certain nutrients. They may live in a remote, deprived area where there’s very little access to fresh food. If you’re one of these people, supplements may be the best way to correct the problem and stay healthy.
You may also be facing a specific situation that requires an adjustment to your usual nutritional requirements. Perhaps you’re training for a grueling sporting event or you’re going on a trek in the wilderness where there’s a bigger physical toll on your body and it’s harder to access the right kinds of food in the right amounts. Perhaps you’re pregnant, with all the extra strain that puts on you as well as the extra needs of the baby. These are all cases where you may want to prevent future issues.
The best way to find out if you might need a supplement is to ask an expert, like your doctor. They’ll be able to tell you if you’re receiving enough nutrients already, if you’re particularly at risk of deficiencies, or if supplements might interfere with any other medication you may be taking. Everybody’s different, so any plan has to be tailored to your specific circumstances.
