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Originally Posted On: The Bright Side of Nutritional Supplements (socialifestylemag.com)

There’s a lot of buzz these days over nutritional supplements. Should you take them? Some people rave about supplements. They say everything from supplements cure cancer to supplements restore disrupted sleep cycles.

On the other hand, there are a lot of people talking about how supplements are dangerous. That they aren’t as regulated as other drugs by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). There could also be other ingredients that are dangerous to consume besides the main nutrition itself.

The advice here is to proceed with caution. There are great reasons to add supplements to your diet. Below, we’ll highlight the bright side of nutritional supplements – as well as some words of caution. Ultimately, remember that you should trust your instincts and the advice of your doctor.

1. THEY FILL IN NUTRITIONAL GAPS

The reason that most people take supplements is the nutritional gaps in their diet. It is possible to get all the nutrients necessary from a healthy diet. However, most modern diets miss essential things.

For instance, consider the vegan diet. It’s extremely healthy and beneficial for the body as it requires consuming more vegetables and fruits. It’s also better for the environment since you’re not consuming the meat of animals that release harmful gases. But the vegan diet also can be lacking – it usually does not provide you with enough B12 vitamin.

Crystalline B12 vitamins were created for those who don’t want to eat animals. The crystalline form absorbs better and is more natural than the synthetic B12 injected into animals.

Of course, no matter what vitamin you’re taking, you need to make sure that you are taking enough and that it’s from a credible source.

2. THEY CAN HELP MANAGE MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Supplements can be a great addition to your self-care if you take them to manage certain medical conditions and health overall. For instance, people who desire clearer, brighter skin take vitamin E supplements. People with arthritis might take glucosamine, chondroitin, or even green tea supplements. In short, there is a long list of medical conditions for which people seek natural treatments.

All this, however, should be included in your self-care regimen with caution. To begin, vitamin supplements should never be used instead of medicine. If you have a condition for which your doctor prescribes you medicine, please continue to take it.

You also need to ensure that taking the supplement will not interfere with medicine you are already taking. Some supplements even reduce the effects of medicine. For instance, St. Johns Wort breaks down antidepressants faster. That means that they won’t be as effective, and you’ll still see symptoms of depression.

If you wish to take supplements to manage a medical condition, the best advice we can give is to speak with your doctor first.

By contrast, if you find it difficult to relax and unwind at the end of the day, then you could try using kratom to help you calm down.  Ideally, you’d integrate your supplement with other steps towards the same goal.  For example, you could follow up your kratom with some meditation to help “seal in” the effect.

3. THEY ARE IMPORTANT FOR VARIOUS STAGES IN LIFE

Supplements can help you go through stages of life easier. If you are suffering from bone structure loss due to old age, for example, taking vitamin D supplements could help your bones stay strong and healthy for longer. Pregnant women are recommended folic acid supplements to fight any potential birth defects.

If you are into fitness but have a busy schedule (which could happen during any stage of life), a supplement like Supergreen tonik can boost your energy and ease your recovery because of the nutritious fruits and veggies it contains.

There are supplements for every stage of life. But again, caution and control before you dive in.

ARE SUPPLEMENTS WORTH IT?

When it comes down to it, that answer is up to you. Supplements can help you reach your goals, make you healthier, and give you essential nutrients. But, they can also be harmful if taken incorrectly. You just need to do your research.