More people than ever are looking for ways to improve their health naturally. With so much information available, it can be hard to pinpoint which products are worth the investment and which are hype. Choosing the right natural products should be individualized, but there are some options most anyone can benefit from.
The Basics of Staying Healthy
First things first: no healthy products will make up for unhealthy daily habits. Any health journey should begin with the basics. These include:
- Eating healthy foods that are primarily whole and unprocessed
- Drinking enough water to stay hydrated
- Exercising with a combination of cardio and resistance training at least 3-5 times a week
While adding supplements and other health products to your daily routine can help even if your lifestyle isn’t ideal, you will greatly maximize results if you’re giving your body a good baseline.
The Best Health Products
Which products are best will largely depend on your individual needs. For example, if you’re deficient in a vitamin that is a good place to start. You can determine if your body is deficient in a specific micronutrient by speaking with your healthcare provider and getting the proper tests.
Assuming you are starting from a place of generally good health and no severe deficiencies, many people can benefit from adding the following nutritional products to their routines:
B12
Vegetarians and vegans often require B12 supplements to maintain proper levels, since it is primarily found in animal products. They aren’t the only ones who may benefit from supplementation, however. B12 derived from food can become harder to absorb as you get older and stomach acid becomes depleted. The synthetic version found in most vitamins is readily bioavailable, even for those with lower stomach acid.
Omega 3s
Eating 2-3 servings of oily fish per week is the recommendation, but most Americans fall short of this goal. Some don’t like the taste, have concerns about mercury in the fish supply, or don’t want to consume animal products. Taking an over the counter omega 3 supplement can help reap the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids, including lowered inflammation and potentially lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. Supplements can come from purified fish oil, flax seed oil, or hemp seed oil.
Probiotics
The human body is home to millions of microbes, many of which live in the gut. Studies have shown that having a healthy microbiome full of diverse bacteria can help with everything from immunity to mood disorders. Modern living and a standard American diet, however, can throw your gut bacteria off balance. Consuming probiotics, in pill form or through eating fermented foods like yogurt or kombucha, can help bring things back into balance.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey has natural antibacterial, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant properties that make it a preferred natural antibiotic. It is traditionally used in wound healing, especially for burns and infectious wounds. Honey is also used as a remedy for sore throats and an oral rinse as well as a general antioxidant. It can also be consumed either alone, or mixed into a warm beverage. It is best consumed raw to protect the antibacterial enzymes.
Hemp Flower
Studies have shown that smoking CBD Oregon hemp flower may help with a number of mood and mental concerns. Unlike other supplements, it often has an immediate effect so users can reap the benefits right away. It may also help to lower inflammation, which could help improve overall health and discomfort.
Fiber
No list of top health products would be complete without fiber. While dietary fiber is found in abundance in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, most Americans still aren’t getting enough. Adequate fiber intake is important for digestion, blood sugar stability, and keeping LDL and HDL cholesterol in balance. Taking a daily fiber supplement can help keep intake at optimum levels. The most natural options are psyllium husk, flax seeds, chia seeds, or glucomannan.
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to help improve cardiovascular health. It has also shown promise in improving fertility, brain health, and protecting cells from free radical damage. The human body naturally produces CoQ10, but levels can become lower during the aging process. Supplementation can help maintain adequate levels for optimum health.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
NAC, is a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, which is produced in the liver. Increased glutathione levels have been shown to help promote liver health, faster recovery from respiratory viruses, increased fertility in men and women, and it is being studied for use in blood sugar stabilization. Supplementation may be beneficial during acute illness for faster recovery, or as a daily supplement to improve liver and cellular health.
Vitamins D3 with K2
Vitamin D is one of the few supplements that the human body can manufacture when given adequate sun exposure. It is an important micronutrient for healthy bones, calcium absorption, immune system health, brain function, and glucose metabolism. As more people have taken to the indoors to work office jobs, many are not getting enough daily sunshine to maintain optimum levels. This can be remedied by getting more time outdoors, but that isn’t practical for everyone, especially during the winter months. Taking a D3 supplement can help boost levels of this crucial vitamin. Taking one combined with K2 helps deliver it to bones and teeth where it is needed.
Protein
Most people don’t eat enough protein from either plant or animal sources. Recommended intake is roughly 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight (or 1 gram per pound of ideal body weight for those who are attempting to lose). It can be difficult to get enough from diet alone, especially for those who are eating a plant based diet. While it is ideal to get protein from whole foods, powders made from whey or plant based sources are a good alternative to help maintain muscle growth and strength.
Keep in mind that not all proteins are created equal. Choose one with a short ingredient list without the use of preservatives and excessive fillers or artificial sweeteners. Look for ones that are NSF or USDA certified if possible.
Putting it Together
It’s important to remember that everyone’s health needs are different. While these products and supplements are likely to benefit most people, there is no one-size-fits-all. Speak with a doctor, nutritionist, or another healthcare professional to determine which options are ideal for your body.