by Dave Asprey

The Go-To Guide to Healthy Supplements: A Beginner’s Cheat Sheet

Fact: People all over the world are sick.

The 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study found that more than 95 percent of the world’s entire population is suffering from some sort of illness. How ironic, if you think about the fact that healthcare is a 3 trillion dollar industry.

Here’s one of the reasons behind the unbalanced scenario — most people do not start minding their wellbeing until they are sick. They could be spending less on hospital fees, therapy, medication, and other health maintenance solutions if they had decided to prioritize their health early in life.

Another reason is the lack of education about health. In a study conducted by Healthy Living Initiatives of the City of Nashville, it was discovered that the likelihood of obesity and other health woes such as diabetes is much higher among people who did not finish high school.

Researchers believe that proper education gives people the ability to refine their lifestyle. Therefore, those who fail to finish school miss out on the important life lessons related to a healthier, better quality of life. They lose the ability to consider the importance of food choices and investing in health solutions such as health supplements and exercise.

A more important fact: It’s not too late.

Even if you are sick now or you are much older, you can still do something about your health. For starters, you can start taking health supplements, especially if you struggle with your diet. These can make up for the nutrients you do not get from your food.

A Cheat Sheet to Healthy Supplements

‘Don’t know which health supplements to take? Here is a cheat sheet to put you on the right track.

Bone Support and Strength

Calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium are what you need to take to prevent bone density loss (osteoporosis) as you get older. They also aid in bone development and healing after injuries. These come in tablets, capsules, and even in beverage form.

Energy

To boost your energy and also prevent stress from taking its toll on you, the best supplement to take is vitamin B complex. B vitamins support energy production at the cellular level.

Another reliable energy booster is CoQ10, which does practically the same thing as B vitamins.
Coffee is also a wonderful energy booster. It has caffeine, which everybody knows revs up energy metabolism.

Heart Health

Protecting the heart should be everybody’s commitment, and you get can great results from taking fish oil and omega-3.

Countless studies show that omega-3 fatty acids from fish are effective in reducing the risk of heart disease. At the same time, it is effective in reducing stress which can actually contribute to heart ailments. It even provides the benefit of preventing inflammation throughout the body.

CoQ10 is another supplement to take if you want to improve heart health. It supports heart function especially for those who already have heart disease. CoQ10 even possesses the ability to reduce the rate for subsequent cardiac events after an initial heart attack.

Immunity

When it comes to immunity boosters, you cannot go wrong with vitamin C. This is the very reason why, during the influenza epidemic several years back, vitamin C ran low in pharmacies nationwide. Vitamin C supports the autoimmune system, and it aids in the development and repair of body tissues.

Colostrum supplements are worth considering, too, for a stronger immune system. Most of these come in capsule form and they come with antibodies that neutralize toxins which have made their way into the body.

Colostrum is a fantastic source of nutrition which is why a lot of medical facilities are exploring its potential in treating cancer patients whose immunity drops during and after chemotherapy. These supplements are, however, a tad pricey but their cost is just a small price to pay compared to fees related to lengthy hospitalization and medication.

Women’s Health

Vitamin E has always been known as the “beauty nutrient,” and it protects cells from the effects of free radicals that can make you look dull and old. Vitamin E can improve the condition of your hair, nails, and skin; plus, it contributes to heart health as well.

Biotin is also a supplement worth taking for women. It works similarly to vitamin E but it is also known to improve the functioning of the eyes, the liver, and the nervous system.

Iron is also an important supplement for women. They need more of it to make up for the amount lost every time they get their monthly period.

Men’s Health

Vitamins B, D, and magnesium are deemed the most important supplements for men and they are often combined together in multivitamin formulas. These help with bone and joint health as well as in maintaining healthy testosterone levels.

There you have it – an easy guide to supplements so you can improve your health and overall wellbeing. Pair these with a few lifestyle changes such as getting better sleep, exercising, eating balanced meals and you can achieve the healthiest version of yourself in no time, and even encourage the people around you to prioritize their own fitness and wellbeing as well.

AUTHOR BIO

Dave Asprey is the creator of the widely popular Bulletproof Coffee, host of the #1 health podcast, Bulletproof Radio, and author of the New York Times bestselling book, “The Bulletproof Diet.” Through his work, the Silicon Valley investor and technology entrepreneur provides information, techniques and keys to taking control of and improving your biochemistry, your body and your mind so they work in unison, helping you execute at levels far beyond what you’d expect, without burning out, getting sick, or allowing stress to control your decisions.