How Do I Know If I Can Benefit From Nutritional Supplements?

If you’re like the average American, you lack essential nutrients like:

Calcium
Potassium
Magnesium
Vitamins A, C, and D

Nutritional supplements aren’t meant to replace food because most people can get their nutritional needs through diet alone. But if you lack certain nutrients based on your age or lifestyle, supplements can help.

At Balance Hormone Center, we take nutrition seriously, because it’s important to your overall health. Our primary practitioner, Gordon Hart, PA-C, encourages patients to lead a healthy lifestyle, which may include nutritional supplements.

Who benefits from nutritional supplements?

There are certain groups of people who benefit from taking nutritional supplements and may not be able to rely on food alone to meet their needs. Among them are:

Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant

Women who are pregnant should take a prenatal vitamin that has an iron supplement. Women who are trying to get pregnant should make sure they’re getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. This is in addition to eating foods that contain folic acid.

Adults over 50

Adults over 50 should ensure they’re getting enough vitamin B-12. If they aren’t getting enough in their foods, like fortified cereals, they need to take a supplement. We recommend B-12 supplements because B-12 plays a vital role in red blood cell formation, metabolism, bone health, and nerve function.

Adults 65 and older

Once you reach the age of 65, you should make sure you get plenty of vitamin D from foods or nutritional supplements. Vitamin D in proper amounts prevents falls as you age because it regulates the transfer of calcium into muscle cells. Healthy, contracting muscles help prevent slips and trips.

Vegans, vegetarians, and others

Vegans and vegetarians eat limited types of foods, so they need to take a nutritional supplement if they aren’t getting all of the vitamins and nutrients their bodies need from their meals.

This also includes anyone who restricts whole categories of foods, like fish. Adults should get two or three servings of seafood per week for omega-3 fatty acids, which are needed for a healthy heart.

Those who have a medical condition

Certain medical conditions could leave your body lacking in some nutrients. For example, if you have a lactose intolerance and avoid dairy, you may need a nutritional supplement to ensure you get enough calcium.

Also, you may need supplements if you have a medical condition that hampers your ability to absorb nutrients. Such conditions include:

Food allergies
Chronic diarrhea
Disease of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or intestines

Choosing supplements

Speak to a nutrition professional before spending money on drugstore brand supplements. We let you know which supplements and in which amounts are best for you. And we can help you avoid the harmful effects of taking supplements with certain prescription drugs.

It’s also helpful to track what you eat, so we know if your diet allows you appropriate nutrition for your age and lifestyle.

Are you ready to talk with us at Balance Hormone Center in Norman, Oklahoma, to find out which nutritional supplements will complement your lifestyle? Call our office today or use our convenient online scheduling tool to request an appointment.