In an ideal world, you will get adequate sleep, eat all your vegetables and fruits, and stay hydrated. Does my body require supplements? I have all the nutrients and vitamins needed, right? You are wrong. The following are some of the reasons you ought to take dietary supplements, no matter how healthy your lifestyle can be.
Filing the Nutritional Gap
It is estimated that a person does not get all the required nutrients in food alone. Most people fail to meet the recommended dietary nutrients and vitamins because of poor appetite, changing nutritional needs, and strict dieting. Supplementation is necessary to bridge the nutritional gap, so as to maintain the proper balance of nutrients from supplementation and food. That is necessary to enhance the nutrient density of the diet.
Nutrient Absorption Declines with Age
As one gets old, malabsorption becomes a problem as the body does not have the same capability to break down and absorb nutrients as it used to. Also, the production of digestive enzymes that help break down the food and absorb nutrients from the food begin to decline as one gets older. Moreover, you may be taking medications that you did when you were younger. The truth is that most modern medications deplete essential nutrients. Fortunately, supplements help restore such imbalance.
Avoid Harmful Chemicals
Herbicides and pesticides that are used to farm food, chemicals available in water supply, and external environmental issues such as pollution increase the need for a person to take extra minerals and vitamins. The harmful chemicals create free radicals that attack a person’s immune system and digestive system. Thus, there is a need to take antioxidants that help fight those free radicals.
Exercise Increases Nutrient Needs
If you are an athlete and you exercise regularly, you require a lot of nutrients and energy to stay in shape. That is because when you exercise the body uses up the nutrients and energy that is stored in the body. You need to replenish the essential nutrients, promote recovery, and fuel energy levels after an intense workout. Taking protein powder is the best way to get much-needed calories rather than eating a whole chicken.
Poor Eating Habits
Some people engage in erratic eating habits and eating processed junk food. Also, stress can contribute to poor digestion. That makes it difficult for the body to extract all the required nutrients it needs from the food. Although supplementation cannot replace poor diet, it helps prevent damage caused by poor eating habits.
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