If you are like most people, you are interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When making a conscious effort to live healthily, there are several obvious steps to take:
Eat a balanced diet
Be conscious of caloric intake
Exercise regularly
Avoid sugar
Set aside time for mental health (pursue hobbies, hang with friends, etc.)
Take supplements as needed
While all these things may be obvious, unfortunately, they are not always easy. Take choosing a supplement for example. How do you know you are choosing the right one and not just throwing your money away?
Navigating The World Of Supplements
Did you know that the supplement industry has grown to a more than36 billion dollar industry?
With so many products on the market, it’s little wonder that choosing the right supplement can feel a little like a blindfolded pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game. But there are questions you can ask yourself to help narrow down the choices:
Do I Even Need A Supplement?
I know, I know. This one sounds too obvious to even be on the list. But hear me out:
Are you showing signs of an actual deficiency, or are you taking a supplement because it makes you feel vaguely like you are doing something healthy for yourself?
Do you have a medical condition that might require you to take a supplement?
Are you pregnant or becoming pregnant and need a Prenatal supplement?
Maybe you have deficiencies due to your age? Or lack nutrition due to your diet.
The possibles of needing a supplement are endless. It is good to consult with your doctor to see if a supplement is right for you. The point is to ensure there is an actual physical condition you are attempting to address with a supplement. Otherwise, you may be unintentionally overdosing yourself in an overzealous attempt to “be healthy.”
3 Tips for Choosing the Right Supplement
Double Check Supplement Dosage
Next thing to check:
Is the “dosage” correct? All supplement dosages are not created equal. Overdosing yourself on a supplement is a bit like trying to push in a thumbtack with a mallet. Brute force does not always win the day. So if you are uncertain how much to take, consult a nutritionist.
If you are going to spend your hard-earned cash on something, you obviously want it to work. It’s good to figure out what individual ingredients are in the supplements and what do those ingredients do to your body. You want to make sure you’re buying a supplement that will help with your needs.
Do Your Research
When buying a supplement, double check the ingredients. Make sure what you are taking will help you based on your needs for a supplement. Maybe you aren’t getting enough nutrition because you have a diet restriction or you don’t eat enough veggies, so your low on vitamins and nutrients. Not all supplements are FDA approve, so it’s good to ask your doctor, if a supplement is right for you. If your doctor does recommend you a supplement, then make sure you take extra time to research what ingredients are right for you and if you are on medication, research what you can mix with medication. These factors all help with the effectiveness of your supplements. Research is very important!
Adaptogens To The Rescue
Luckily, adaptogens fit the bill perfectly. They are sourced from wild-crafted herbs, roots, and berries and are proven to help your body adapt to the stressors you encounter on a daily basis.
So if you’ve been feeling fatigued, mentally foggy, anxious or stressed, adaptogens will help to smooth out your body’s functions and return you to a state of homeostasis (that internal equilibrium we all seek but seldom find.) Try them for yourself – you won’t regret it!
