How Do I Choose a Supplement?

 By Greg S Gruba

The Basic Supplements

If you only want to supplement your diet with the absolute basics, this article is for you. Most Americans do not get their basic micro nutrient needs met by food intake alone. Supplements become necessary to fill this gap.

When it comes to supplementation, there is what I refer to as the "Hierarchy of Needs". This hierarchy starts with the basic nutrient foundation, and then proceeds up to the advanced or hybrid supplements. Think of the hierarchy as appearing like a pyramid, with the wide base being the foundation.

Foundational Supplements

What are the Basic Foundation Supplements?

There are two daily supplements I like to call the foundation products. These are a high quality multivitamin and fish oil capsule. Let me explain why I chose these two.

Multivitamins

The micronutrients found in a multivitamin are necessary in order to meet the demand lacking in a normal whole foods diet. The majority of people do not consume enough vegetables and fruits for optimal nutrition. At the same time, be aware that it is not possible to correct a poor diet with supplements.

But, just taking any brand or type of multivitamin is not the solution. When it comes to supplements, you more often than not, "get what you pay for". A common mistake consumers make is choosing to purchase a cheaper, bigger bottle online or from a big box store. These are typically a hard heat pressed type and the absorption rate to the body is quite poor. When buying a multivitamin, look for a capsulated high quality brand. You may also want to choose one specific to gender. A male has different nutrient needs than a female.

A good multivitamin provides the basic nutrient needs upon which all others are built. Just because you may not notice a change in energy or some health issues, does not mean it is not helping. Remember, a strong foundation may not get all the accolades of a luxury home, but it is the base of the beauty. You are only as strong as your foundation.

Fish Oil

Fish oil, otherwise known as Omega-3's, is my other choice for building a strong healthy foundation.

Omega-3's have very good anti-inflammatory properties. In today's world, our diets are high in Omega-6's, which cause inflammation. If you choose to get your recommended dosage of Omega-3's through diet alone, you would need to eat fatty fish at least 3-5 times per week. As you can see, this is not the easiest way to do it!

Like a multivitamin, fish oil is also sold at a discount in the big stores. But, these are rarely of high quality. A good fish oil supplement contains a high EPA/DHA ratio. With the higher ratio, the need to take numerous tablets is not necessary.

Conclusion

Like I stated earlier, these two supplements are the foundation of any good healthy diet supplementation. Without a good multivitamin and fish oil, you are building on shaky ground. Do yourself a favor and get on a high quality multi and Omega-3 today. Check us out on Facebook for more healthy tips

To Your Health,

Greg Gruba DC

Article Source: EzineArticles.com