What Are the Best Natural Supplements to Take for Overall Health?

No matter how hard we try, it seems like we’re never able to obtain the recommended daily amount of micronutrients. Some people are also lacking in macronutrients (like protein, lipids, and carbohydrates) that our bodies require in larger amounts. Fortunately, supplements can help fill in these dietary gaps.

It is estimated that over 50% of U.S. adults over the age of twenty take at least one dietary supplement a day. A myriad of reasons guide their decisions, such as energy, immune health, aging, and heart-related concerns.

Depending on your wellness goals, you may be considering supplementing your diet. If you are wondering what the best natural supplements to take for overall health are, this guide may provide some valuable insights.

What Are The Best Natural Supplements to Take for Overall Health?

The supplement market is vast and can be overwhelming. Articulating your health and wellness goals and getting recommendations from your physician are good first steps. Understanding the benefits of various supplement types can also greatly aid you in your journey.

While people choose supplements based on either their personal health or wellness goals, there are several that support overall health. They support multiple body systems and physiological functions, and include:

Vitamins

One of the most commonly taken natural supplements is the multivitamin. Though in most cases only a small amount is needed each day, vitamins serve many functions. For this reason, a deficiency of one or more vitamins may have a notable impact on health. Many people believe taking a multivitamin with minerals is a proactive strategy for health maintenance.

Minerals

Like vitamins, minerals play a big role in the human body. They are needed for strong teeth and bones, to help balance fluids, and to help the body convert food into energy.^‡ Some are referred to as “trace minerals” because they are required in tiny amounts. Others are needed in larger amounts. People often take a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement to ensure they get adequate amounts of these essential nutrients.

Fish Oil

Fish oil supplements contain healthy fats called Omega-3 fatty acids. They are an important component of cell membranes that comprise the body. They also support the brain, eyes, and heart.^‡

Fiber

Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide dietary fiber. Soluble fiber creates a gel that keeps you feeling full while supporting healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber provides bulk that helps move food through the digestive tract.^‡ Supplements may help you achieve an adequate amount of fiber intake each day.

Probiotics

Probiotic supplements provide bacteria that are helpful for the GI tract. When the quantity of beneficial bacteria exceeds the amount of harmful ones, it promotes healthy digestion and supports proper immune functioning.^‡ While some foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut contain active, live cultures, supplements are a convenient way to add more beneficial bacteria to your diet.

Protein

While most people usually receive adequate amounts of carbohydrates and fats in their diet, protein is the macronutrient most often chosen as a supplement. This is particularly true for athletes as their bodies may require greater amounts of protein for sustained activities. Supplemental protein is often recommended for the elderly or those recuperating from an injury. Protein supplements come from a variety of animal and plant sources, and may be added to beverages or mixed into foods.

While there are many, many more supplements with specific benefits, these 6 represent the ones commonly used to promote overall health.

Can I Get Multiple Nutrients From a Single Supplement?

Doctors and dieticians recommend getting your nutrients through whole food sources, which makes functional mushrooms attractive supplements for doing so. A mushroom supplement made from mycelium and fruiting bodies remains a whole food in dried and powdered form. Furthermore, a high-quality mushroom product made from a blend of functional species provides:

• Bioactive compounds, especially B vitamins
• Minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium
• Prebiotic fiber
• All 9 essential amino acids
• Other antioxidants to help combat oxidative stress^‡

Like animal proteins, mushrooms are considered a source of complete protein, whereas plant sources are incomplete because they do not contain all 9 of the essential amino acids.

How Can I Be Sure My Mushroom Supplement Is All-Natural?

Manufacturers sometimes market supplements as all-natural. While a product may be considered “natural,” it is not necessarily safe for consumption. Mushrooms like other natural living things may absorb toxins from their growing environments. Cultivated mushrooms grown in a controlled environment, however, are free from the dangers inherent in wild mushrooms. And when a company seeks the assurance of third-party certification, customers have an added peace of mind regarding the safety and purity of their chosen mushroom supplements.

Enhancing Your Diet With a Functional Mushroom Supplement

Om’s Master Blend contains a variety of bioactive compounds and minerals and is high in antioxidant power. With high-quality vegan protein and very little fat and sodium, it is a welcome nutritional supplement. Its prebiotic fiber content supports gut and immune system health while the antioxidants promote overall well-being.^‡ Best of all, it is available in both powder and capsule forms to support your unique lifestyle.

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^‡These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Functional mushroom products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.