There are various supplements designed to provide general wellness support, including multimineral + multivitamin formulas, probiotics and herbal extracts.
Vitamins play an essential role in metabolism, nerve function and DNA synthesis. Calcium supports bone and tooth health while iron helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
Herbs and botanicals can provide valuable help in improving sleep quality, mental wellbeing and energy levels – for instance St John’s Wort, Ginseng and Saw Palmetto are among the many examples available to us.
Vitamins
Vitamins have many functions in the body, from strengthening immunity and muscles to improving eyesight and even supporting bones, skin and soft tissue formation and maintenance.
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are stored in our livers and fat tissues; while water-soluble ones (such as C and B-complex vitamins) dissolve into water and pass out through urine. A deficiency may develop within days or weeks while others could take months before having an impactful impact on health.
Multivitamins can help ensure you receive enough key vitamins. Look for supplements with independent tests and labels confirming their contents; consider products from manufacturers known for quality, transparency and ethical practices like USP or ConsumerLab that adhere to standards during manufacturing processes; additionally it’s wise to avoid products containing ingredients you are allergic to as this could prove hazardous.
Minerals
Minerals are natural inorganic substances found on Earth that have an ordered chemical composition and structure. Most minerals consist of one element or compound such as table salt (sodium chloride) or quartz; sometimes however they include multiple elements or compounds like coal.
Each mineral possesses unique physical traits to set itself apart, including color, hardness, luster and fracture characteristics. Some minerals also possess other unique properties like magnetism or piezoelectricity.
Essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and selenium help ensure bone health, cardiovascular wellbeing and immune function. Incorporating supplements into the daily diet may also be helpful – for chronically ill individuals under stress or on restrictive diets; pregnant women; chronically ill individuals who might otherwise fall short – however multivitamin/mineral supplements offer comprehensive nutrient support which reduces chances of deficiencies while simultaneously supporting holistic wellness.
Herbal Extracts
Herbs can be an effective treatment option for various conditions. Their many functions range from acting as antispasmodics, diuretics and antimicrobials to helping lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels that contribute to atherosclerosis.
Herbal extracts contain concentrated doses of certain ingredients that have been standardized to provide an ideal amount or percentage of an herb’s active component, providing more potency than could ever be achieved with whole herbs alone. Green tea extract is one such example. It’s been standardized to contain 40% catechins–an amount that exceeds what can be obtained through drinking green tea directly or taking whole-green-tea capsules.
Tinctures are pharmaceutical formulations of plant material extracted with alcohol, vinegar or glycerin that are intended for medicinal use in alternative herbal medicine systems. They typically contain high concentrations of bioactive compounds with lasting benefits to health.
Herbal tinctures can be created at home using any appropriate part of an herb, including its leaves, roots, flowers or bark. Before beginning use of herbal tinctures it’s important to speak to one’s physician and discuss potential drug interactions and other considerations.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes dissolve into fluid to carry an electric charge and regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood pressure and pH balance and maintain proper body hydration levels. Key electrolyte ions include potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride sodium and phosphate.
Electrolyte supplements, like sports drinks, gummies or powders can be invaluable tools for increasing hydration. But be careful in selecting yours: some may contain high levels of added sugars that could compromise both your health and performance, according to Pasquariello. Likewise, sodium content should always be taken into consideration if following a low-sodium diet advised by your physician.
An appropriate diet including whole grains, fruits and vegetables as well as lean meats should provide all of the electrolytes you require. If supplementing is needed however, select products without added sugars, artificial sweeteners and flavors; an example being GoGo SqueeZ Active Fruit Blend with Electrolytes which provides all three electrolytes, along with carbohydrates from an enjoyable fruit blend.
