Our bodies are complex machines that need a very diverse set of nutrients and vitamins in order to function well. Though the amount and variety of food we have available today surpasses anything we have had in the past, the fact is that many of us aren’t getting the nutrients that we need. This is particularly true if you rely on heavily processed foods and don’t make things from scratch. Even if you make food at home, if you aren’t diversifying your meals and ensuring you eat broadly from all food groups, you still risk not taking the vitamins, nutrients, probiotics, enzymes (and more) that you need.
That’s where supplements come into play. While supplements aren’t as good as getting the real thing, they can make it easier to care for your health – especially if you lead a busy, stressful life.
Your health should never take a step back, especially when caring for it just that little bit more is as easy as taking these top five supplements.
- NMN
NMN is a supplement that’s designed to increase the NAD+ levels in your body. NAD+ is a coenzyme that’s important for its role in DNA repair. As we get older, our NAD+ levels fade, and with that comes aging. Increasing NAD+ can mean slowing down aging, increasing energy, and even reducing your risk for age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
- Collagen
Collagen is an essential protein that’s in your skin, hair, bones, and all those ever-important connecting tissues that make up your body. Collagen production also declines as we age. With that decline, you may notice wrinkles, that your skin starts to sag, and that you experience joint pain more frequently. You can help increase collagen by taking a supplement and using collagen-boosting creams.
- Omega-3
Omega-3 is one of those essential components that our bodies simply cannot produce on our own. It’s naturally found in fish or eggs if you don’t eat fish often. You can also get an omega-3 supplement. These pills contain fish oil, making them a natural, effective way to get this essential fatty acid.
- Probiotics
Probiotics are naturally found in fermented foods. Probiotics are bacteria that our body relies on. You’ll naturally find probiotics in your gut. However, if there’s an imbalance, then you may start to experience a range of gastrointestinal issues. Increasing the amount of probiotics you intake by eating fermented foods often or taking supplements can help regulate your system.
- A Multivitamin
There are so many essential vitamins and nutrients that it can be hard to keep track. That’s why you’ll want to take a multivitamin for the classic lineup of supplements like Vitamin A, Bs C, and so on. Multivitamins are a great way to help give your body a little pick-me-up and ensure you’re getting the vitamins and nutrients you need to thrive. Do keep in mind that it is possible to overdose (you will typically only experience nausea) on certain vitamins, so only take one multivitamin and then add the aforementioned supplements to this list based on what isn’t included.