Your Path to Wellness- Key Supplements for Good Health

In a perfect world, we would get whatever nutrients and antioxidants from the food we eat, the sun that shines down on us and the soils that we walk upon. But we all know we don't live in that word. And even our best intentions to eat well-balanced meals are often sidelined. This is where supplements can help. Supplements are not meant to replace food, and taking any supplement does not mean you throw out your attempts to make healthy choices. The right supplements are intended to bridge the gap between average nutrition, protect against deficiency, enhance our diets' nutrient density, and provide extra support and healing to help bring the body to a place of balance.

Supplementation plays a pivotal role as we age and when the body is diseased or ill. During these times, the body does not have the same capability to effectively break down and absorb nutrients. Prescribed medications and harmful chemicals often deplete the body of essential nutrients, resulting in damage to your cells. Supplements can help protect and restore the damage they cause. 

There is no denying that taking the right supplements to achieve the best outcome can often be confusing. So we provided a list of some of the key supplements that you should put on your list for 2021 

Reduce Your Stress

Stress is inevitable, but your body comes equipped to handle most stress. It is the unrelenting stress that causes harm to the body and reduces the body's ability to repair, heal, and recover. Supplements such as L- Theanine and Ashwagandha can help manage your stress response, reduce cortisol spikes and provide relaxation during those uncalm moments.

Natural Factors Mental Calmness provides a therapeutic dose of L-Theanine. L-Theanine can produce a calm and relaxation without the sedative, sleepy effects. It also increases serotonin (the transmitter responsible for feelings of happiness) and dopamine (responsible for cognitive function, creation, motivation). 

Ashwagandha is one of the most important medicinal herbs found in Ayurvedic medicine. It is classified as an "adaptogen" An" adaptogen" is a supplement that helps the body to adapt to both internal and external factors that affect the body. Ashwagandha helps the body manage its stress responses by balancing the cortisol levels in the body. Too much cortisol can negatively affect blood pressure. It can also cause stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, weight gain, etc. 

Get Better Sleep 

There are enough headlines and medical reports to remind us that we are causing harm to our bodies if we are not sleeping enough. Sleep helps to strengthen the immune system, stimulates hormone production, heal the brain and encourages neurons to regenerate. Sleep stimulates specific systems to remove cellular waste and produce naturally occurring antioxidants. If you cannot achieve a regular night's sleep, consider supplements such as Natural Factors Tranquil Sleep. Tranquil sleep can play a pivotal role in regulating your sleeping patterns. The combined supplement profile includes L-Theanine, 5HTP,and Melatonin, which work synergistically to address different sleeping concerns. L- Theanine helps to quiet the mind. 5HTP is an important initiator of sleep, and Melatonin helps resets the body's "biological clock" to promote sleep quality and a longer duration of sleep.

Reduce Inflammation 

Chronic inflammation occurs when your immune system continues to produce inflammatory markers, prompting your white blood cells to attack healthy tissues and organs. Chronic inflammation generally "flies" below the threshold of pain and visible symptoms. But it wreaks havoc on the body which increases the risks of Heart Disease, Diabetes, Arthritis and Alzheimer's disease. Inflammation is also a contributing factor in digestive, bowel and lung disorders. Curcumin supplements are the most researched and recommended choice for reducing inflammation. Curcumin can inhibit the body's production of inflammatory-signaling compounds and reduce chronic systemic inflammation in the body. The healing benefits of Curcumin are very dependent on the raw material sand how they are processed to ensure the product is bioavailable (how much you absorb). Natural Factors CurcuminRich Theracurmin is the best-absorbed form of Curcumin backed by studies to verify its efficacy. 

Antioxidants, Cell Repair & Immune Support

Vitamin C and Vitamin D are well researched and documented supplements to support the immune system. They can play an active role in reducing these verity and likelihood of colds and viruses. Vitamin C can support the lung's sensitive capillaries, protecting them from bacterial diseases and reducing fluid accumulation. Vitamin C works by neutralizing viral toxins and stops the formation of new viral units. A Vitamin C deficiency has also been shown to increase the risk and severity of influenza infections. Due to Quercetin's added benefits, it is often found in combination with Vitamin C supplements, such as Natural Factors C Extra + Quercetin is also involved in regulating the immune system's response to outside stressors and pollutants.

Vitamin C is also found in combination with L-Lysine in supplements such as Dr. Gifford's Medi C. Vitamin C, and L-Lysine can help build collagen, strengthen the coronary cells, and prevent arteriolosclerosis. But they also work together as a superior immune formula. L- Lysine helps boost the immune system by adjusting the body's chemistry, so it is less hospitable to foreign organisms

Quercetin is found in some fruits and vegetables, but to achieve Quercetin's health benefits, supplementing with highly absorbable forms such as Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix is the better choice to provide the recommended 500-1000 mg dosage. Quercetin supplements such as LipoMicel Matrix has multiple influences on your immune system. Quercetin has immune-enhancing and anti-viral properties. It can boost white blood cell activity and mobilize them towards the area of infection. Quercetin also provides anti-inflammatory benefits, which further protect the body from diseases that arise from inflammation, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, skin infections, and heart disease. Quercetin may also block histamine, the inflammatory response caused by allergies. It is considered a natural antihistamine, effective for lowering the effects of seasonal allergies and skin reactions.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient. The sun is the primary source of the nutrient, but it is also found in some foods. Vitamin D is not just about bones. It plays a significant role in heart health and has a vital role in regulating healthy cell growth, increasing serotonin (the happy hormone).Vitamin D helps keep your immune system healthy and more resilient in fighting off infection and viruses. It is pivotal in lung health and fighting lung diseases and ailments.  

Natural Factors has recently introduced a Super Immune Formula that contains Vitamin D and Vitamin A, Zinc and Omega 3. Together all these supplements can support immune system function, connective tissue formulation and healthy membrane support

Fight Colds, Flu & Virus 

The herb Echinacea helps with the immune response and may increase the number of white blood cells, which help fight infection. The increased action of your immune system may lower your risk of developing colds and shorten their duration. Supplements such as Natural Factors Anti Viral not only contain Echinamide (Echinacea), it also has Astragalus and Reishi Mushroom, both of which are potent immune modulators.

Elderberry produces an anti-inflammatory response and may help with pathogens that have affected the upper respiratory system, reducing their effect and symptoms. Elderberry may also reduce the rate of entry of a virus into a cell, and upon infection, reduce the viral transmission to other cells.

Several other supplements not mentioned in this article provide specific and specialized support for ailments and conditions. Speak to your health retailer to source out further supplements for your particular needs. If you are taking medications, please check with your health care provider for possible interactions.

Stay Well, Stay Healthy

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