5 supplements to add to your daily routine & diet

Magnesium is to our bodies like how a strong foundation is to a house. This humble mineral forms the building blocks of many important functions that are crucial to us, from hundreds of metabolic processes to forming our DNA. Without it, we literally cannot function. As human bodies are incapable of naturally producing it, along with the rate at which it is depleted from food sources during manufacturing and refinement processes, it comes as no surprise that a significant proportion of the general population shows signs of magnesium deficiency.

As some studies have linked depression to low levels of magnesium, integrating a dose of magnesium into your everyday diet can help you radiate from inside out, easing anxiety and improving nerves. What’s more, people who have—or are at risk of developing—osteoporosis can tag on a serving of collagen supplements to their magnesium to better their bone density and condition.

The ability for such a deadly virus to stick on surfaces and spread around so rapidly has urged people to become hyper-aware of what microscopic crawlies might be lurking around their surrounding exteriors. Though bacterium has been declared public enemy number two by cleaning product and pocket sanitiser brands alike, people are forgetting the absolutely necessary nature of a “good” bacteria.

Otherwise known as probiotics, this good bacterium has the main function of keeping our internal climate at a safe balance, hunkering down to keep harmful bad bacteria under control. Our overall gut health is heavily influenced by this organic balancing act, helping to support the cells responsible for absorbing other supplements, which also leads to offshoot effects on our immune function. Probiotics are also naturally found in pickled and fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, yoghurt, and kombucha, but if you want to skip the generally sour and acidic flavours of such foods and drinks, you can opt for an easy to intake probiotic supplement instead.

It protects your health, it prevents coronary heart disease, but, most importantly, it repairs your body after arduous exercise sessions! Many are familiar with the properties of Omega-3 in lowering blood pressure and preventing plaque from clogging up our arteries, but aside from boasting a star status in helping to maintain heart health, Omega-3 has also shown a particularly positive effect on athletes and active folk.

It helps greatly to reduce inflammation of muscle tissue, easing the post-workout and after-training sores, in addition to preventing the loss of muscle mass after injuries and long-term strain. Start a ritual of taking between one to three Omega-3 soft-gel tablets daily after dinner to reward your body with a token of appreciation for what it can do!

All of the above may be a lot to digest (pun intended), but there is no need to stress! Opting for a multi-vitamin is an easy and efficient way to tick every box on the list of everyday physiological necessities—everything is condensed into one quick gulp. Adhering to EU guidance levels, the nutrient reference value (NRV) is your broad rule of thumb which determines the specific components and the adjunct amount an average person needs to prevent deficiencies.

Think of the daily multi-vitamin as a lifehack tool that gives you vitamins A, C, E, B5, B6, and K2, as well as folic acid, potassium, and more in one neat package. Certain groups who can really benefit from incorporating multi-vitamins include vegans, older folk, and individuals who have undergone weight loss through surgery or calorie restriction. No matter your diet, multis are like a superhero that uses their powers to ensure you have a well-rounded intake!