Regardless of whether or not your diet is well-balanced, there are times when your body may require additional nutrition.
As our lifestyles continue to speed up, supplements have become a viable option not as a replacement for food, but as a supportive addition to our overall health.
However, supplements come in a variety of forms, and while health professionals often refer to them as a “stack” (a combination of supplements), they often identify the “Big 5” as the basic stack of supplements for general wellness.
The Big 5 are vitamin D3 with K2, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, a multivitamin, and probiotics.
Each of the Big 5 supplements addresses common dietary shortfalls, enables the body to perform its vital functions, and promotes long-term health.
Vitamin D3 with K2 is the first of the Big 5 and likely the most important.
It has been demonstrated that vitamin D3 supports immune function, mood regulation, and bone density.
The effectiveness of taking vitamin D3 is enhanced by combining it with vitamin K2.
Vitamin K2 directs the flow of calcium into bones and away from the arteries, reducing the potential for calcification.
Magnesium is the second important supplement.
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in over 300 biochemical functions in the body.
Magnesium reduces muscle tension, enhances the quality of sleep, helps to control blood pressure, and can also serve as a natural stress reducer.
The two most commonly recommended forms of magnesium are magnesium glycinate and citrate, both of which offer a higher bioavailability than do other forms of magnesium.
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly those containing EPA and DHA (which are derived from fish oil), represent a third extremely important supplement.
Omega-3s help to decrease inflammation, enhance the functioning of the heart, and improve brain function, and are beneficial in modern diets that are high in processed fat.
A good quality multi-vitamin acts as a form of “nutritional insurance.”
Regardless of what you eat on any particular day, it will ensure that you receive a baseline level of essential vitamins and minerals.
This is not meant to indicate that a multi-vitamin should replace a healthy diet; rather, it ensures a baseline level of the essential vitamins and minerals, which will give you a sense of security.
The last of the Big 5 is probiotics, which are used to maintain a healthy gut.
Maintaining a healthy gut is a key component of being healthy.
While the primary purpose of a healthy gut is to assist with digestion, it is also associated with a healthy immune system, mental health, and the health of your skin.
Stress, the use of antibiotics, and a poor diet are just a few reasons why many individuals suffer from an imbalance of bacteria in their gut. Probiotics can help to restore this balance.