Some of the best ways to stay healthy and keep your body happy are to eat well, sleep well, and exercise. This can help your body maintain its natural energy level. Unfortunately, life can be busy and the demands on your time can reduce the quantity and quality of sleep, exercise, and healthy food you need in your life.
Thankfully, there are several other natural sources we can turn to that help us find the natural energy we need. Vitamins and minerals are substances our bodies need to grow, develop, and function normally.1 Some of these are vitamins A, D, C, B (thiamin, riboflavin, cobalamin, etc.), and more. There are also natural minerals that are important to maintaining a healthy body. Some of these are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-20202 recommends meeting your daily nutrient requirements through eating healthy, nutrient dense food, there are other ways to consume the appropriate amounts of nutrients. These dietary supplements are high in nutrients and minerals and are a great way to make sure your body gets everything that it needs.
What Vitamins and Minerals Do I Need?
There are a lot of important vitamins and minerals out there that can be beneficial to include in a healthy diet. Here are a few of the most common vitamins and minerals most people include in their regular diet.
Vitamin B12: There are a lot of B vitamins, but B12 is one of the more well known. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that helps with red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis.4
Iron: Even though Iron is present in a lot of foods, some people struggle to keep the right amount of iron in their diets. Iron can help provide oxygen to muscles, provide metabolic support, assist in cellular growth and development, and help with the creation of connective tissue and some hormones.5
Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that can help your body improve the function of your immune system and improve vision, reproduction, and intra-cellular communication.6
Vitamin C: This is a water-soluble vitamin that can help your body with several things. It can help in the production of collage (which helps wounds heal), it helps with iron absorption, can bolster the immune system, and can protect your cells from free radical damage.7
Calcium: This mineral is found in many foods and can help your body maintain strong bones and healthy teeth. It also helps transmit neural signals from the brain to the muscles. Calcium can also help move blood throughout the body and helps with the proper release of hormones and enzymes.8
How Can I Get the Natural Vitamins and Minerals I Need?
There are a lot of different ways that you can include natural vitamins and minerals in your diet. The easiest way is through consumption of healthy food, fruits, and vegetables. If you’re eating healthy and still feel like you’re missing some nutrients and vitamins, consider a few of the methods below.
Before taking additional supplements or vitamins, talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional to check dosing and possible side effects.
Multivitamin and Mineral Supplements
One of the most common dietary supplements people take are multivitamin and mineral supplements (MVM). Because the traditional American diet doesn’t typically contain the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals, taking MVM supplements regularly can help fill the gaps in nutritional deficiency.3 Taking a daily dose of an MVM is not likely to cause any negative side effects. If you have a high nutrient diet, make sure that your MVM doesn’t push you over the daily recommended servings for natural vitamins.
Chlorella
A great way to ensure your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs is by taking chlorella daily. Chlorella comes from a green freshwater algae, and is considered an up and coming superfood. Chlorella is one of the only known plant sources of active Vitamin B12 (this is especially important to those who live a Vegan lifestyle).
Chlorella is packed with protein, nucleic acids, and Chlorella Growth Factor, which supports normal cell growth and repair. It also can help support your body’s natural immune system. Chlorella can also help your body rid itself of harmful chemicals and heavy metals.
Getting It Right
Getting the right amount of nutrients from natural vitamins and minerals in your body is easier than you may think. If you spend a little time examining the food you consume and supplement that with chlorella, an MVM, or other vitamin supplement, you can make sure your body is getting exactly what it needs.