Although it’s ideal to meet all of your nutritional needs through eating healthily, sometimes supplements may be needed to fill any nutritional gaps. Gummies provide a tasty way to supplement with essential calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium nutrients.
These vegan-friendly snacks are free from common allergens like dairy and gluten, undergo third-party testing, and contain 2 g of fiber per serving to help people meet daily requirements.
Calcium
Calcium is best known for strengthening bones and teeth, but it plays many other important roles within our bodies as well. Calcium is the most abundant mineral present, supporting muscle function as well as transmitting nerve signals. You’ll find calcium naturally found in dairy products, vegetables, fortified foods or as dietary supplements; but can also be taken orally as medicine.
Daily calcium consumption has been demonstrated in several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to reduce cancer mortality. Furthermore, daily calcium can also help lower heart disease risk by lowering blood pressure and reducing stroke/blood clot risks.
Gummy vitamins often contain more sugar than tablets or capsules, which could pose a problem if you’re trying to limit sugar for health reasons. But there are supplements that offer sugar-free gummies. Furthermore, certain gummies contain citric acid which wears down tooth enamel over time.
Magnesium
Magnesium can be found in foods such as legumes (beans and lentils), whole grains, vegetables (especially spinach and broccoli), nuts, seeds and some fruits. Magnesium is most often used as an antacid for heartburn as well as to treat low magnesium levels during pregnancy, preeclampsia/eclampsia complications, an irregular heartbeat condition called Torsades de Pointes) as well as to manage osteoporosis bone loss, reduce surgical pain post surgery as well as reduce pain reliever use post surgery – while one study suggested giving pregnant women oral forms of magnesium during labor helped prevent an intracerebral hemorrrhage!
Early research indicates that magnesium supplementation could help ameliorate symptoms of bipolar disorder. Magnesium appears to increase lithium levels in the body and reduce manic episodes when taken together with other medications for this condition. Furthermore, taking magnesium could prevent nerve damage caused by cancer drug treatment.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral, supporting normal immune system function as well as bone, hair, and skin health. Additionally, zinc helps the body absorb vitamin A, regulate acid-base metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism rates, assist protein synthesis and DNA synthesis processes and contribute to taste/odor regulation as well as fertility/reproduction processes.
Zinc gummies can provide an excellent boost for immunity and digestive health. One study demonstrated how zinc supplements reduced symptoms of colds while shortening their duration; they may even help maintain eye and heart health according to some research studies.
Dietitians typically advise getting zinc through diet, but for those who need additional support, taking supplements may also help. Experts suggest sticking with 40 mg daily as high doses may lead to toxicity; zinc supplements include zinc gluconate, citrate or picolinate which studies indicate is more absorbable.
Potassium
Potassium is one of the main shortfall nutrients, meaning Americans don’t consume enough of it. Potassium plays an essential role in heart health by keeping blood pressure and glucose levels within normal range, maintaining strong bones and supporting cardiovascular wellbeing.
Potassium can be found in foods such as bananas, apricots, avocados, cantaloupes, tomatoes, watermelons and spinach; additionally, supplements are available that contain potassium. A higher intake through food has been linked with 13% decreased risk of stroke.
While most multivitamin-mineral supplements provide around 99 mg of potassium (representing about 20% of the Recommended Daily Amount), some people may want to consider supplementing with additional potassium. Caution should be exercised, however, as too much potassium consumption can lead to side effects like stomach discomfort and diarrhea. It’s important to read product labels thoroughly and consult with healthcare providers if you have abnormal kidney function or are taking medications such as ACE inhibitors or potassium sparing diuretics that might interact negatively with additional potassium intake.
