Supplements 101
Supplements can become overwhelming with everything that's out there. This will touch on key categories of supplements and the best way on how to use them.Supplements are divided into categories:
Nutrients
(Nutraceuticals or Orthomolecular Medicine)
Botanicals
(Herbal Medicine or Phytotherapy)
Hormones
Hormone Replacement Therapy or Restorative Medicine
Each category is meant to support underlying excesses or deficiencies, with the ultimate goal of bringing the body back into balance.
Where it becomes complicated is understanding the different uses and dosing of specific:
- Extracts
- Chelates (a chemical compound that dissolves more easily and is easily absorbed compared to other types of molecules and compounds)
- Prepared Compounds
Nutrients
Nutrients are defined as ingredients that would otherwise be found in food, which include:- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Phytochemicals
- Antioxidants
What are Nutrients?
For sustaining life and staying healthy, the human body requires a balance of nutrients, which can be categorized as macronutrients and micronutrients.Macronutrients constitute the major food groups of
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Proteins
Micronutrients are required in small amounts and include vitamins and minerals.
Phytonutrients, such as anthocyanin found in blueberries or resveratrol found in grapes, are also often classified as micronutrients.
How do Nutrients Work?
Macronutrients are the caloric basis for our- Daily energy needs
- Provide the building blocks of tissue development
- Fiber for our microbiota
- Cholesterol for hormone production
- Tissue development
- Hormone and Neurotransmitter Production
- Brain function
- Immune function
Common Nutritional Supplements
Dietary supplements can provide nutrients in a condensed form, which allow for targeting specific conditions or in order to upregulate certain pathways that require those nutrients.Examples include:
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Calcium
- B vitamins
Eating Properly & Healthy
Make Protein A Priority
Muscle injuries are one of the most popular reasons for chiropractic visits. Protein helps build and heal muscle tissue, helping it to renew itself back to a pre-injury state.If your daily intake of protein is low, it can hinder the healing process and stand in the way of chiropractic visits giving you the maximum results. Fish and lean meats are the foods that offer the highest protein.
Other vegetarian options are tofu, soybeans, eggs, milk, and nuts. Help your muscles rebuild and heal by adding high protein foods into every meal menu.
Staying Hydrated
Why do most of us view water drinking with dread? If you wish to promote healing, it’s imperative to drink enough water every day.Water provides an entire slew of benefits, from transporting those important nutrients to where they need to be, to flushing harmful toxins out of the body. Aim for eight glasses of water a day, and try to drink it throughout the day.
Getting into this habit will boost overall health, and promote healing of injuries and other medical conditions.
While it’s a smart goal to try to ingest all the nutrients you need through food and drink, supplements are available to bridge the gap. Before beginning a supplement regimen, talk to you chiropractor for recommendations on the type and dosage that will aid and improve your unique situation.
You may also want to download a smartphone app to track your daily intake of calories, calcium, protein, and liquid. There are many available, one being My Fitness Pal.
Easy and free to use, this is a powerful tool to keep you on the right nutritional track.
Chiropractic treatment is a big step in the right direction for overall health/well-being and incorporating these nutritional tips into your daily routine will help you get the most out of your chiropractic care.
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