You may have seen people around you taking health supplements, but you’re wondering – are they really necessary? Keep reading to find out!  

What are health supplements?

Health or dietary supplements are products that help to supplement your diet and support healthy body functions. They may include ingredients like vitamins, minerals, fish oils, probiotics, herbs and many others in their formulation for various needs.  

Vitamins and minerals play an integral role to ensure our body functions at its best. While they may be obtained from a balanced and nutritious diet, most people are unable to meet the daily recommended nutritional requirement due to their eating patterns. 

Besides vitamins and minerals, other nutrients such as probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and many others are key players in the maintenance of different health and body functions too.

A well-balanced supplement regimen can help to maintain our overall well-being and give us more years of living in good health!

4 reasons why you may consider including health supplements in your routine: 

Below we share a few reasons why you may wish to consider including health supplements in your routine and how they can help.

Reason 1: Supplements help to support and maintain the well-being of those with busy lifestyles

Balancing the demands of life is tough, and your nutrition may be compromised amid the hustle and bustle. Between long meetings and never-ending work tasks, it may be tough to get a nutritious meal in. Having takeouts too often at irregular meal times may just spell trouble for your health in the long run.  

Besides, how many of us are all too familiar with feeling brain-fried and exhausted after a long day? Energy-boosting supplements can help to mitigate lethargy and provide the right nutrients so you stay energised throughout the day.  

During a busier season when stress levels may be higher, mood-enhancing supplements may help to improve the body’s resistance against stress and improve sleep quality.  

For better brain health and mental performance, a fish oil supplement like ProDHA can help. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA, which are vital for cognitive functions and mental focus.

This means better concentration, memory and a sharper mind to tackle the busy week! 

Energize Vitality Pack

Always busy and on-the-go? This wellness pack helps you stay energised and focused throughout the day!

DORS is an herbal formula that revitalises your body and boosts energy flow, and PhosChol 565 supports your mental performance.

We can’t forget the essential multivitamin – One Plus A Day to give you a nutrition boost!  

Reason 2: Supplements help to replenish specific nutrients that may be missing when you’re on a specific diet  

Whether it’s a personal choice or a need to go on a specific diet, you might be missing out on certain nutrients with the absence of certain foods.

This is where supplements can help to fill in the gaps.  

Those on a vegetarian diet are often found to be lacking essential nutrients such as vitamin D, iron and more.

One very important vitamin is vitamin B12, which is found naturally only in animal products and plays an important role in our nervous system. Those on a vegetarian or vegan diet have a higher risk of B12 deficiency without the right supplementation. 

Multivitamins are a great way for those who are on specific diets to fill in possible nutrition gaps.

Similarly, for the picky eaters or those who do not enjoy fruits and vegetables, these multitaskers can also help to support your nutritional needs.  

With 21 essential vitamins and minerals in its formula, One Plus A Day is an ideal multivitamin to support your body and maintain general health.   

Reason 3: Supplements provide additional health support for different life stages

At different life stages, such as pregnancy or old age, our nutritional needs vary.  

During pregnancy, the vitamins and minerals that you need will have to benefit both you and your baby. Taking supplements such as probiotics, folic acid and DHA can help to make your pregnancy journey a smoother one.

Probiotics may help with constipation problems that are often faced by pregnant ladies.

DHA helps to support the brain development of the foetus while folic acid is often recommended to prevent potential birth defects.  

As we age, nutrients from food are also less readily absorbed by the body, which means that it may be harder to meet the daily required nutritional intake.

For the elderly, multivitamins may come in handy while calcium supplements help to ensure that their bones and joints are well-maintained. 

Reason 4: Supplements play an important role in preventive care

Many countries in the world are experiencing an ageing population. However, evidence suggests that the number of years lived in good health remained broadly constant, which means that additional years are lived in poor health.

Being able to live these extra years in good health is crucial to improving our quality of life even as we approach our golden years.

Instead of seeking treatment when illness strikes, many healthcare providers are encouraging people to take measures to prevent them.

Preventive care emphasises on the importance of taking charge of our own health to reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions, especially in high-risk individuals.

Other than having a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and going for frequent health checks, consuming health supplements may also serve as a form of preventive care.

Consistently consuming supplements helps to provide the body with ingredients that contribute to its daily function, thus maintaining overall health and supporting your body’s natural resistance. 

So… are supplements really necessary? Do I need to take them?

It really depends on your lifestyle, diet and ultimately what your body needs!

If you find yourself falling into any of the categories above, consuming dietary supplements is a great way to support these areas where our diet may fall short.

For those who have a medical condition or are currently taking any medication, it’s important to talk to your doctor or a health professional before consuming any health supplements. 

Do note that supplements should not be used as a replacement for your healthy diet.

Having a healthy diet and cultivating good lifestyle habits remain as the most important keys to maintaining good health! Cheers to more fulfilling years of a happy and healthy life ahead!