The Best Dietary Supplements

With lifestyles changing rapidly these days, more and more people are opting for ways to improve their health and prevent diseases. Apart from physical workout and healthy eating habits, dietary supplements are an effective means of improving one’s physical and mental health. Dietary supplements provide those essential nutrients that may be otherwise missing in a person’s diet, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, fatty acids, herbals etc. These supplements may come in the form of capsules, tablets, powder or liquid, and one should note that they do not fall in the category of curative medicine or drugs. Let’s take a look at five of the top dietary supplements:

1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body, and this makes it all the more important for us to include them in our diet. These fatty acids are known to prevent cardiovascular diseases, improve immune system and prevent certain mental disorders. In  cancer patients, omega 3 fatty acids retard the growth of prostate tumor, improve appetite and help retain muscle mass. They are also helpful in diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, etc. Omega 3 fatty acids are mainly found in fish oil and flax seed oil; whereas vegetable oils are also known to contain some amount of Omega 3 fatty acids in them.

2. Multivitamins

Multivitamins are diet supplements that are a concoction of various micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals put together in the right proportions to make the diet wholesome. Although sometimes, doctors recommend that taking individual vitamins is better than multivitamins, since the quantity of vitamins in multivitamins is very small. They can very well be called one of the safest and easiest dietary supplements that are particularly beneficial for adults.

3. Beta Carotene

Beta carotene is found in a number of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, pumpkins, and mangoes. As a diet supplement, it can help reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. It also prevents high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, etc. Although Beta carotene is a known antioxidant, yet it is not recommended for cigarette smokers since Beta carotene is believed to increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers.

4. Siberian Ginseng

Siberian ginseng is an herb that is widely used as a dietary supplement for its numerous benefits. It enhances appetite, improves the immune system of the body and helps reduce stress. One of the most important uses of Siberian ginseng is that it is helpful in treating the side effect of chemotherapy in cancer patients. Siberian ginseng is quite different from its American counterparts and is used for treating diseases like chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, kidney disorders etc.

5. Folic Acid

Folic acid is an essential part of our diet and highly beneficial for health. The deficiency of folic acid can cause kidney disorders, ulcerative colitis, liver complications, etc. Doctors recommend folic acid supplements to expecting women, as it helps in healthy development of the fetus and also prevents miscarriage. Folic acid helps reduce the level of homocysteine in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of  heart disorders and stroke. However, it is advised that before taking any dietary supplements, you consult your physician first to know what supplements are best for you.