This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mom It Forward and the Council for Responsible Nutrition. All opinions are my own.
New year…new and improved me?! YES, I’ve made a promise to myself that 2017 is going to be my best year yet and that means focusing on an area I really struggle with: being healthy.
Like most people, I want to play a proactive role in my own wellness. On a daily basis, I aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water and “eat the rainbow” by including fresh fruit and veggies in a variety of colors at every meal. Despite my best efforts, it’s very difficult to get enough essential nutrients from food alone. There is no such thing as a perfect diet, after all, and I admit that I sometimes give in to junk food cravings!
One of the ways I try to compensate is by taking a high quality dietary supplement. According to a survey from the Council for Responsible Nutrition, I’m in good company: More than 170 million Americans take dietary supplements each year. The most popular are multivitamins (75% of users take these), along with vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium and vitamin B/B complex.
Some common reasons to take supplements include:
- Joint health
- Digestive health
- Skin, hair & nails
- Healthy aging
- Bone health
- Immune health
- Heart health
- Overall health
- To fill in dietary gaps
There are lots of choices when it comes to dietary supplements, so it’s wise to talk with a doctor or other health care practitioner about what’s right for you. Through routine blood work, I found out that I was severely vitamin D deficient. A lack of this particular vitamin can cause many unpleasant side effects. Taking the correct dose of vitamin D daily for 3 months, based on my doctor’s instructions, made all the difference!
Dietary supplements can play an important role in good health, but they are meant as supplements to, not substitutes for, other healthy habits. Making sure we are exercising regularly, sleeping enough nightly, and combatting stress are equally important.
Want to learn more about the health benefits of taking supplements? The Council for Responsible Nutrition has many resources to help you make an informed decision.