Vitamins and minerals form the core of many dietary supplement products, but mineral gummies offer another convenient and accessible option that caters to consumers with difficulty swallowing large pills or tablets.
Ingredient companies are revitalizing the minerals category with innovative delivery systems and functional supplements that go beyond what was once offered. Here is what to look out for when searching for tasty multipurpose gummies.
Calcium/Magnesium
Calcium’s well-known role is in providing strong bones and teeth, but this essential mineral also plays an essential part in keeping muscles (including those found within the heart), nerves and blood vessels healthy. Eating plenty of calcium could also lower your risk for cardiovascular disease by improving lipid profiles and decreasing blood pressure levels.
Magnesium is an important natural supplement to calcium, helping the latter absorb and absorbing more easily. Furthermore, magnesium plays an integral role in maintaining steady calcium levels as well as supporting enzyme functions that facilitate metabolism of this essential mineral.
Experts advise consuming a varied diet that features nondairy foods like vegetables, fruit, lean proteins, and whole grains in order to meet most of their nutrient needs. Some individuals may struggle to meet their mineral requirements through diet alone and may require extra support through supplements like calcium-magnesium-zinc. Before beginning any supplement regimen or taking dietary pills of any sort, consult your healthcare professional first so they can help determine your ideal ratio between calcium and magnesium and any potential interactions between medications and nutrients that could occur.
Zinc
Zinc plays an essential role in immune function, protein synthesis, enzyme reactions, wound healing, skin health and growth. Additionally, zinc reduces oxidative stress while supporting cell signaling and division. Zinc can be found both animal and plant foods; though its highest concentrations are typically found in poultry eggs legumes nuts seeds and some meat products.
Zinc supplements may help chronic wounds heal faster; in one study, zinc supplements significantly decreased time to closure for non-healing ulcers (8). They may also prove useful in treating pneumonia – one of the leading causes of death among low-income nations – with one trial showing that zinc significantly reduced mortality rates from severe pneumonia among infants and children receiving antibiotic treatment (8).
Zinc can be found in animal products, legumes and other vegetables, nuts, seeds and fortified foods. Vegetarians and vegans may experience low zinc intake from their diets; to address this deficiency it’s important to add zinc-rich foods or consult a dietitian about taking supplements.
Iron
Iron is an essential nutrient essential to carrying oxygen throughout your body via hemoglobin, making you tired and weak without it. Gummies as well as multivitamins offer iron supplements.
Most adults can obtain enough vitamins and minerals through eating a well-rounded diet; however, some individuals require additional supplements, including infants, those who eat limited diets, postmenopausal women, as well as pregnant and postmenopausal women. Vitamin and mineral gummies may provide some assistance for some of these groups, although no definitive evidence has yet been collected in RCTs (randomized clinical trials).
Adults rarely suffer iron overdose from food and supplements alone, but children can do so more easily. Too much iron consumed can cause vomiting, stomachache and diarrhea if taken in large doses – potentially exposing oneself to dangerously high iron levels in their system, which is an inherited condition known as hemochromatosis. Keep all supplements out of reach of children to avoid accidental overdose.
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium is essential to many body processes, from muscle function to heart health. Additionally, magnesium supplements are frequently taken to relieve constipation as it stimulates bowel movements by drawing more water into the intestines through osmosis and creating stool that’s easier to pass.
Magnesium citrate can also help alleviate sleep difficulties by decreasing nerve excitation and encouraging muscle relaxation, but should only be used temporarily for chronic constipation issues.
Liquid form of this mineral is sometimes used in preparation for colonoscopy, in conjunction with bisacodyl tablets or suppositories, to clean out and evacuate distal colon. Furthermore, this dietary supplement comes in powder form for use at home as an occasional laxative but should be avoided by those on low sodium diets and kidney disease, although Nexium can interact with it and cause interactions as well.
