The supplement world, I admit, can be a tad confusing to say the least, but one thing is for sure, we NEED to supplement!
In an ideal world we would get all the nutrients we need from our food, but the reality is that our food is simply not the same quality as it used to be.
A study by the USDA stated that “2 peaches in 1953 supplied the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A for an adult women." Today, a woman would have to eat 53 peaches to meet her recommended daily allowance! The reasons being due to big agriculture, pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified seeds, picking crops too early and mineral deficient soil.
This means that supplementation is no longer optional, it is necessary. Supplements help to bridge the gap and correct nutrient deficiencies much more efficiently than food alone.
Added to the shortcomings in our food is the additional stress we inadvertently place on our bodies on a daily basis. Things like rushing from one task to the next, inadequate sleep, alcohol, processed foods, chemicals in our everyday products that we use in our homes and on our bodies, worry, medications and the list goes on. Thus even more reason to supplement!
Three supplements I recommend to all women are:
1. Magnesium
Unfortunately our soils have been over-farmed and our topsoil has been eroded leading to mineral - depleted soils
In many cases pesticides and herbicides also interfere with the uptake of minerals in the soils so often when we eat a beautiful serve of fruit or vegetables they don’t deliver the nutrients that our bodies require
Given that magnesium is involved in over 300 different processes in the body, I cannot emphasise enough, the importance of taking a good magnesium supplement
Signs that you may be deficient in magnesium are:
Sleep challenges
Headaches
PMS
Hot flushes
Painful cycles
Irregular cycles
Fertility issues
Anxiety
Chocolate cravings
Poor recovery after exercise
Muscle cramps
The most readily absorbed forms of magnesium are:
Magnesium glycinate
Magnesium citrate and
Magnesium sulfate
2.Omega 3 essential fatty acids
Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid, meaning the body does not make it, but it’s required to keep 100's of processes running smoothly.
Unfortunately plant-based omega-3's are not as beneficial as sources found in animal sources because it’s harder for the body to use.
When selecting an Omega 3 supplement it is critical that you choose one produced by a company that employs stringent testing of its product as fish oil can often be a source of heavy metal poisoning
Omega 3 essential fatty acids are critical for:
Hormone balance
Healthy joints
Cardiovascular health
Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
Healthy skin and hair
Lowering inflammation
Skeletal health
Emotional wellbeing
Healthy brain function
3. A powerful antioxidant:
Antioxidants are like the superheroes in our bodies, they protect us from the troublemakers, also known as free radicals that can cause havoc in our bodies and contribute to diseases including heart disease and cancer.
So where do the free radicals come from?
Free radicals are produced as a by product of normal cellular metabolism and in response to various stressors for example:
Inadequate sleep
Eating foods grown with the use of herbicides and pesticides.
Intense exercise
Low level or high level anxiety
Lack of movement
Alcohol
Being overly busy
Toxins in our foods, our cleaning products and our personal care products eg soap, shampoo, moisturiser etc.
Foods such vegetables and fruits, herbs, dark chocolate, nuts and various spices such as ginger and turmeric are great antioxidants however our foods are often not as fresh as we would desire, often having travelled many kms and been stored in cold storage for weeks or even months – this reduces the antioxidant value.
Other supplements you may want to consider are Iron and Vitamin D. Have a blood test to check your levels first
Tips for choosing a quality supplement
👉Powders are best for maximum absorption by the body, followed by capsules and then tablets
👉Look for supplements that don't contain
synthetic preservatives
fillers (often the cheaper brands)
plastics (eg check capsules)
heavy metals (check your fish oil supplement in particular)
👉Choose reputable brands (these are rarely found in the supermarket!)
👉Select supplements that are formulated cleverly so that the body is then more inclined to recognise them and absorb them. eg. Since magnesium works closely with calcium, it is important to have an appropriate ratio of both minerals in order for them to be effective.
Please remember my lovelies, supplements alone will not keep you well!
Supplements are just that - a supplement to a healthy lifestyle and great nutrition!
Don't forget I am available for a chat if you need some help with your supp's, you can book one in using the pink button below!
Happy Healthy Wishes Always
Lou 🤗🌸🤗
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