At Integrated Health Centre we believe in 5 vitamins and minerals that everyone should take to maximize their health. These top 5 include: fish oil, vitamin D, probiotics, magnesium, and a multi vitamin. By using these supplements it will help to keep your body regulated, and help to minimize health issues over your lifetime.

A Multi Vitamin: Even with strict attention to our diets, we can DEFINITELY BENEFIT from extra support with some nutrients we are lacking by taking a multi vitamin daily.  Today's fast paced lifestyle can put a strain on our healthy eating habits, and sometimes we are unable to take in all the essential vitamins and minerals needed. The daily accumulation of pollution, processed food, and stress also deplete our bodies of nutrients. In order to ensure you are replacing these nutrients effectively, supplementing with a multivitamin can help fill in those gaps. Multi vitamins can provide extra nutritional support, as well as energy for the body. When selecting a multi vitamin make sure to check the purity of the product, if its been tested, and does not contain any fillers or artificial colours. Metagenics offers many different multi vitamins to choose from, and all products are tested and quality controlled.

EPA/DHA: This is the one supplement EVERYONE could benefit from, with literally thousands of clinically tested and proven results ranging from cardiovascular support to improving joint function, nervous system, mood and brain health, allergies, eczema, and overall immune system support. 

Fish oil has two components: DHA and EPA. The DHA supports your brain health, while EPA supports your heart health. In addition, fish oil helps to relieve inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues such as allergies, eczema, and mental health. By using fish oil, you can reduce the build of inflammation, which should then reduce other inflammation related issues.  In addition, by reducing inflammation, you can reduce pain inflammation in your joints. 

Probiotics: They are SO much more than just bacteria for your digestive system. They help break down and digest food, while improving the absorption of nutrients in that food.   Probiotics do not just help with food absorption, but they also help with the immune system. There are more than 170 diseases which can be helped or treated by taking the proper probiotic - your immune function starts in the gut! Probiotics can create 'holes' in bad bacteria and kill them, thus boosting the immune system. In addition, probiotics help to create brain chemicals including over 30 neurotransmitters, such as mood enhancing serotonin.  

Vitamin D-3: We are built to take in some SUNSHINE now and then! The best way to get Vitamin D is to spend 20 minutes a day at high noon completely nude basking in the sunlight. However, this can be a difficult to achieve if its cloudy or during the dead of winter (It also depends on what kind of neighbours you have!). Also, because vitamin D absorption from the sun is only possible without protection of clothing or SPF, there is an inherent risk of UV damage. Therefore, supplementation is HIGHLY recommended! To maximize your intake of Vitamin D, it is best to use the form D3. Vitamin D3 is the natural form of Vitamin D that your body makes. For winter months, it is suggested to take up to 1000 IUs per day. One vital benefit is its role in helping calcium build strong bones. Another important role is its ability to extend and protect the life cycle of human cells.

Magnesium:  DID YOU KNOW?!? That about 80% of adults suffer from a magnesium deficiency. This mineral is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heart beat steady and helps bones remain strong. If you have poor sleep patterns, drink coffee, or have stress in your life it’s likely your magnesium levels are low. Taking a daily magnesium supplement can help with a variety of conditions including asthma, migraine headaches, muscle cramping, osteoporosis, heart disease, and can even help to calm your nerves and reduce anxiety.  Sasha from the retail and nutrition says "I stared taking magnesium about a month ago and have already noticed a huge improvement in my sleep, and less pain in my joints and muscles!" 

While it is best to get as much of your nutrients through a varied and unprocessed diet as possible, often deficiencies remain. This is why we suggest our Top 5 Supplements: multivitamins, fish oils, vitamin D, magnesium, and a probiotic. 

Celebrate Nutrition Month by implementing the 'top 5' into your daily routine, and help fill the gaps in your diet today! For more information about Nutrition Month, you can learn more here.