Nutraceuticals are products that provide both nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits. They are derived from food sources and are known for their health-promoting properties. Nutraceutical supplements contain bioactive compounds that may help prevent or treat various diseases. You can get these supplements from trustworthy nutraceutical companies.
This article will talk about types of nutraceutical supplements that can help keep people fit and healthy. These nutraceutical supplements have different recommended daily intake levels and benefits, which you will get to know by the end of this article.
What are supplements?
Nutraceutical supplements come in different forms, like pills, capsules, gummies, powders, and drinks, and nutraceutical companies specialize in manufacturing and distributing these products. These products have benefits like vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. They help fill in all the nutrition that your body needs.
For example, pregnant women may need extra vitamins and minerals like folic acid to prevent congenital disabilities. Some people may also have trouble getting enough nutrients from their diet like iron or vitamin D. Supplements can help compensate for these deficiencies. Top 7 Supplements to Keep You Fit and Healthy
Who Requires Nutraceutical Supplements?
Not everyone needs to take supplements, but they can be helpful for certain groups of people. Here are some examples:
- Pregnant women: They need more nutrients to support the growth and development of the fetus.
- Seniors: They may have a harder time absorbing nutrients from food.
- Vegans and vegetarians: They may have difficulties getting certain nutrients from their diet, such as vitamin B12 and iron.
- Those with GI disorders: People dealing with problems such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease may be unable to absorb vitamin B12 properly.
Top 7 Nutraceutical Supplements to Keep You Fit and Healthy
Here are the top 7 Nutraceutical supplements that can help keep you fit and healthy:
1. Iron
Iron deficiency is more likely to happen in girls, especially those who do sports that require lots of endurance. A Swiss study found up to 52% of teenage girls who play sports have low iron levels. The amount of iron needed in the body depends on age and gender. On average, adult men need 8.4 milligrams daily, and adult women need 14.8 milligrams daily. Severe iron deficiency anemia may increase your risk, which can cause problems for your heart or lungs. For example, your heart may beat too fast or have heart failure, where your heart can’t pump enough blood at the right pressure to keep your body healthy.
Benefits of Iron
- Improves immunity
- Boosts hemoglobin
- Reduces fatigue
- Minimizes bruising
- Improves cognition
2. Vitamin D
There are various types of nutraceuticals, and Vitamin D dissolves in fat and helps your body absorb calcium and keep your bones strong. A healthy person should consume 10-20 micrograms of Vitamin D daily, equal to 400-800 IU. But some people need more, like those with dark skin or who stay inside often. Overweight or obese people also need more Vitamin D. The National Institute of Health recommends 1,000-4,000 IU or 25-100 micrograms daily, depending on their needs. Foods high in vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods like milk and cereals.
Benefits of Vitamin D
- Lowered risk of heart disease and diabetes
- Reduce cognitive decline
- Strengthen the immune system
- Improve brain function
- It helps lower blood pressure
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for your body’s tissues to grow and repair, including blood vessels, cartilage, muscles, and bone collagen. To get enough vitamin C, you can eat citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers, all of which are excellent sources. Vitamin C deficiency develops a condition called scurvy. This condition is often seen in people who don’t have access to enough food or who live in poverty. Scurvy has visible signs and symptoms that are easy to notice. As per the studies, adult men need 105.2 milligrams per day, and adult women need 83.6 milligrams of Vitamin C per day,
Benefits of Vitamin C
- Reduce the risk of chronic disease
- Manage high blood pressure
- Lower risk of heart disease
- It helps prevents iron deficiency
- Protect your memory
4. Zinc
Zinc is only needed in small amounts. The zinc intake varies depending on age and gender. On average, adult men need to consume 11 milligrams daily, and adult women need to consume 8 milligrams. If someone is not getting enough zinc in their diet, they may experience skin changes that look like eczema.
Zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, fatigue, mood swings, loss of taste and smell, skin rashes, and weakened immunity. In men, it may reduce sperm production and slow down wound healing. Pregnant women with zinc deficiency may give birth to babies with congenital disabilities and low birth weights.
Benefits of Zinc
- Immune function properly
- Treat diarrhea
- Wound healing
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Improve sexual health
5. Calcium
Calcium is a mineral that helps to keep your bones and teeth strong. It also helps your muscles work properly, your blood clot and your heart and nerves function normally. Adults need about 1000 milligrams of calcium daily, while women over 50 and men over 71 need 1200 milligrams daily. Eating calcium-rich foods is the best way to get this mineral. If your calcium levels are low, you may experience symptoms such as muscle cramps. People may develop dry, scaly skin, brittle nails, and coarse hair. They may also experience osteoporosis or weakened bones.
Benefits of Calcium
- Improve bone health
- It helps regulates muscle contractions
- Strengthens teeth
- Support heart health
- Balance pH levels
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral your body needs. Magnesium keeps your bones strong, regulates blood sugar, and helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly.
If your body doesn’t get enough magnesium, you may experience muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. It can also increase your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The amount of magnesium needed each day depends on age and gender. Adult men should aim for 449 milligrams, while adult women should aim for 387 milligrams.
Benefits of Magnesium
- Muscle recovery
- Boosted energy level
- Reduced inflammation
- Lower risk of diabetes
- Enhanced bone health
7. Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone made in the brain that helps control when we sleep and wake up. People take melatonin supplements to improve their sleep quality. Melatonin deficiency can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulty falling asleep, dementia, some mood disorders, severe pain, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
No set amount of melatonin is recommended for adults, but 1 to 5 milligrams usually works. Take it a couple of hours before bedtime.
Benefits of Melatonin
- Support better sleep
- It helps with jet lag
- Helps with autism
- Promote eye health
- It protects the mitochondria within cells and hinders cell demise.
Conclusion
While supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet, they can be a helpful addition to support overall health and well-being. Vitamin D, C, and magnesium are a few types of nutraceuticals beneficial for certain people. Take care of the body with the right nutrients. It will improve the quality of your life, and you will feel energetic.
If you’re interested in trying high-quality supplements, Mediwin Pharmaceutical is one of the best nutraceutical companies that offer a wide range of nutraceutical supplements that support your health goals. Visit their website to learn more.