Everyone knows that the secret to a healthy and long life is a good diet and an active lifestyle. A good diet is important because there are some nutrients our bodies cannot produce on their own. Some of these nutrients are very important for our health and can significantly lower the risk of developing certain chronic diseases.
Human society has changed so much in the last 100 years, especially in terms of our health systems and the diseases that affect us. Nowadays, people are less likely to die from infectious conditions and rather from chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer. A study conducted by the Centre For Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada says that almost 1 in 6 people report having a chronic disease, with almost a third of these having three or more. The three main culprits were arthritis, anxiety and asthma, but diabetes and heart disease featured quite strongly too.
The study attributed part of the contributing factors to dietary intake. Having the right diet can be very difficult in our busy lives because it requires extensive planning and sometimes high cost. One of the solutions is to take dietary supplements. Dietary supplements have been advocated for by doctors and health experts for decades now, especially those that are supposed to be part of a good diet. This article discusses three dietary supplements every person should consider taking to maintain a positive health and well-being. For more on dietary supplements, visit Consumer Health Review.
1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
When health experts had observed that the Inuit population hardly ever died of cardiovascular disease, they began to investigate the cause. It was found that their diet consisted largely of oily fish. They then found that oily fish contain specific fatty acids called omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are really quite amazing because they can be used by every cell as part of their membrane or to produce chemical messengers. It was found that omega-3 fatty acids produce an anti-inflammatory environment in the body, and they produce certain substances that reduce the risk of forming clots, which otherwise is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Many doctors and experts agree that 1000 to 1500 mg of Omega 3 fatty acids per day can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In the context of its prevalence in developed countries like Canada, it just makes sense that everyone should be taking this supplement to reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
2. Moringa Oleifera Extract
Moringa oleifera has been used for many years as a natural and traditional medicine. Scientists have discovered that it is high in vitamins A, C and E, which are all vital for many functions in the body. Moringa oleifera extract also contains a substance called benzylamine. Benzylamine features in the blood glucose and cholesterol pathways in the body. Taking daily benzylamine can reduce circulating glucose and cholesterol levels which can reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease respectively.
3. Turmeric Extract
Turmeric extract contains an antioxidant called Curcumin. Antioxidants are important because they remove harsh chemicals in the body called free radicals. Free radicals otherwise react with cell membranes and cause damage and inflammation, all of which can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke or cancer. Other health benefits of turmeric extract include:
- Protecting the stomach from ulcers
- Decreasing intestinal spasms
- Protecting the liver from harsh chemicals
- Increasing calcium in the heart (which improves its contractility)
- Inhibiting platelet aggregation (reducing the risk of a clot)
- Reducing blood sugar
Many people use turmeric as a spice in their diet, but this may not be enough to cause the effects listed above. One scientific study found that the effects of turmeric were observed when taking 1000 mg a day.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that a healthy diet contributes positively to the health of a person. It is easier in these modern times to maintain a completely balanced diet with the help of supplements. Most scientific research has shown that supplements have no detrimental effect but actually have a positive health effect. Try taking just the 3 supplements mentioned in this article and see how your health improves.
