Vitamin and mineral supplements are a great way of getting all the essentials you need that you may not be getting as part of your diet. It is estimated that nearly over 50% of Americans take some form of supplement on occasion, with thousands of different supplements out there, each offering its own unique benefits. But are they safe to use, and can they make you healthier?
Read on to find out how you can support your health with vitamin and mineral supplements.
What Do Supplements Do?
A dietary supplement is a product that is made to supplement one’s diet, providing nutrients you may need. It usually comes in pill or capsule form, but can also be a powder or liquid that you can mix in with something else. The main classes of compounds that you commonly find in a supplement are minerals, vitamins, fibre, fatty acids and amino acids. You can get them without a prescription and are available in most shops that have a medical aisle.
It’s important not to take too many supplements of the same type, as this can affect your body in different ways. Most vitamins and supplements will state on them how often they should be consumed, mostly once a day, and this shouldn't be ignored. Here are some of the different types of supplements available:
Multivitamins
The most popular nutrient supplements are multivitamins, which offer a mix of different vitamins in them, but most commonly vitamins B, C and D. You can get vitamin D naturally from the sun. However, in the greyer months of the year, the sun is not strong enough to give you the amount of vitamin D you need, so many resort to taking a vitamin D supplement in order to top up on the amount of vitamin D they are getting.
Vitamins are vital nutrients and humans require 13 different ones as part of their diet. If your intake of one of these is below average, this can start having an impact on your health. So if you are lacking a vitamin in a diet, a supplement is a great way to get the required amount.
Minerals
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen are the four essential minerals needed to survive but are often not needed as a supplement due to how much is already in foods. Other minerals that are good for a person to consume include potassium, sodium, calcium iron and zinc. These are often less common to find in a general diet but are good to have, so are ideal supplements.
Proteins
Protein supplements are great to increase endurance, muscle mass and average power. They are very commonly used by athletes for performance with ingredients such as whey protein and casein being very popular. They are also used by those trying to recover from illness or as meal replacements. A lot of protein supplements come in powder form, able to dissolve in water or milk to create a drinkable beverage.
Proteins are chains of amino acids, and humans have nine of these that are essential. While they are essential, they cannot be produced from other compounds by the human body so must be taken in as food.
Fatty Acids
One of the most popular fatty acid supplements is fish oil, as it is a source of omega-3. Fatty acids are strings of carbon atoms that the body requires for good health. You usually get fatty acids from plant oils, but if this is not enough, cod liver oil is a very popular supplement that people take. There have been claims fish oil supplements can help prevent heart attacks or strokes, but there is no scientific evidence behind this.
But What About A Great Diet?
One of the main arguments against supplements is that you should be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, balanced diet. But that is not always the case. Somebody with an iron deficiency is not getting enough iron, and even eating iron-rich foods does not always give a person the correct amount. This can lead to tiredness, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. That is why many people take an iron supplement, to give them a direct dose of the iron they need to help combat the effects of iron deficiency anaemia.
Another great example of where a diet is not giving enough vitamins and minerals is if you are following a plant-based diet. Vitamin B12 is commonly touted as the vitamin that vegetarians and vegans are lacking. This plays a crucial role in the health of your nervous system and the formation of oxygen-transporting blood cells, leading to anaemia and nervous system damage. Therefore a B12 supplement is vital to a vegan or vegetarian diet. They’ll also want to take supplements that will give them nutrients they may miss out on in foods they can’t eat, such as those in meat and calcium.
Boost Immunity With POW Food
The team at POW Food know how essential vitamin and mineral supplements are to boosting immune function and supporting your mind and body. This is why we offer a great selection of supplements in our Pantry for you to order. The first product we have on offer is LyfeRoots Supplements, available in men's, women’s and Relax Ease. These supplements are gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free, made from ethically sourced ingredients and bioavailable vitamins and minerals, ensuring that the nutrients enclosed are absorbed effectively.
The Men’s option is packed with 17 essential vitamins and minerals and 10 added plant botanicals such as saw palmetto and lycopene. The women’s multivitamin comes with 19 essential vitamins and minerals along with plant-based botanicals such as ginger and turmeric. These formulas are specially blended for the different needs of the body. Finally, the Relax Ease helps support the daily needs of an individual, containing plant-based botanicals to aid holistic stress relief.
The next vitamin and mineral supplement we stock is Motion Nutrition Supplements, available in Unplug Night Time and Power Up Day Time Nootropic. The Unplug supplement is a de-stressor, designed to refresh you after a long day and recharge you with a night of deeper sleep and a calmer mind. The Power Up supplement is perfect in the morning, helping you to keep your brain performing at its best and maximise focus. They do this using organic, eco-friendly ingredients to boost your mood and provide holistic stress relief.
The final supplement we offer is Bee Prepared Daily Defence Immune Formula. This natural formula contains bee propolis, which is an antibacterial, antifungal and has many healing properties. It also contains one of the richest sources of Vitamin C available, acerola cherry, along with black elderberry and beta-glucan. With the completely natural formula, you can expect a boost in your natural defences all year round.
While not a supplement, another way to boost your body's natural defences is with Genie Kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is rich in beneficial probiotics and antioxidants. This in turn can kill harmful bacteria, promote gut health and help fight diseases. This raw tea is handmade by fermenting it for 14 days, achieving an optimum flavour and bacteria count. POW Food stocks kombucha in 3 great flavours: fiery ginger, sweet citrus and dry apple.
Minerals, Supplements & More From POW Food
So if you’re looking for amazing vitamins and mineral supplements to help boost your mind and body, shop with POW Food today. Along with the supplements, we offer a great selection of delicious and nutritious meals that can be delivered directly to your home or office. They are prepared to give the best benefits they can to your mind and body, made with no artificial ingredients or refined sugar, putting nutrition at the forefront.
There are sumptuous mains, delicious sides and heartwarming soups, along with our pantry of superfood dressings, luxury brownies, POW balls, superfood snacks, juices, herbal teas and kombuchas. Everything is designed to get your body and mind working at their best.
If you’d like to find out more about the range of supplements and food we offer, give us a call today on 0345 340 5397 or visit our website now to browse the full selection of food and drink we stock.