It doesnt matter what age you are or whether you are looking to build muscle or simply improve your fitness. Diet and exercise are essential ingredients. Equally as important are a few basic supplements. There are many supplements on the market which do not have the effect they say they do; there also many excellent products. The best ones, such as the following five, will help you become stronger, fitter and generally healthier.



Omega 3 fats

Omega-3s are essential supplements that everyone should take. Ideally you should eat fish to obtain the required amount of this nutrient. However, this is not always possible which means that a supplement is an excellent second best. Omega 3 is known to reduce and even prevent heart disease. It is also good at lowering blood pressure, reducing the chance of heart attacks or strokes and slowing the development of plaque in your arteries.

Multivitamins

The body requires over forty different nutrients daily to keep it healthy and functioning correctly. It can be extremely difficult to ensure you have had the recommended daily amount of all of these, so a multivitamin supplement is the best choice. It should never be taken instead of food but can be a valuable assistant. Some of the main ingredients which studies have said are essential to normal human function are Calcium, Vitamin D and potassium.

Suggestions have been made that a good multivitamin, such as the ones we just mentioned above, can be of excellent assistance in keeping diseases at bay. This may certainly be true but the more commonly known benefits of a multivitamin supplement are good health and an improved immune system.



Whey Protein Powder

Many people do not recognize this as a supplement and often associate it with body building enthusiasts. However, whey protein powder is an excellent source of amino acids amongst other nutrients. These amino acids have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease or even diabetes. Most powders have a concentration of protein which does help build muscle mass but also is of great assistance to the body in repairing and maintaining itself. The best time to consume it is just after exercise.

Probiotics

A probiotic supplement can have a significant impact on your digestive system. Your body has a multitude of bacteria living within the stomach and some of these are bad. The majority of these are good bacteria though. Probiotics entering your body will swell the number of good bacteria, ensuring that your stomach stays healthy. A probiotic supplement is an excellent way to top up the good bacteria after an infection or a course of antibiotics have lowered the levels in your body. Probiotics can now be found in many foods, such as yoghurt and dairy products but a supplement can ensure you are consuming the right amount daily. Taking a regular supplement will also help if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. The latest research even suggests that probiotics can assist with a variety of skin conditions, oral health, allergies and colds and even urinary infections.



Vitamin D

Vitamin D is absorbed through the skin whenever we are in the sunlight. Unfortunately many people do not receive enough sunlight to obtain the right level of vitamin D. A supplement will offer the convenience of absorbing this vital nutrient when you feel like it. Some supplements will offer the basic amount of vitamin D whilst others will lean more towards the optimum daily allowance of this valuable nutrient. Neither pill is wrong; you will need to choose which one is most appropriate for your lifestyle.

Just like women, men need supplementation too. Their needs are different though. For example, if you like to work out at the gym you must help your muscles regain strength; food can help but its not enough. External sources are needed for the body to cope better with the pain and help the muscles gain mass. Omega-3s are excellent for the skin and hair; men want to have great skin, too, not just women. If youre not a fan of moisturizing creams, including omega-3 supplements into your diet can be an excellent addition to your daily diet.

By John Smith and Supplemented.co.uk!