Vitamins—Who Needs ‘Em?
Back when my kids stilled lived at home, I was refilling my SUNDAY through SATURDAY supplement case when my daughter entered the room. “You take ALL those things…every day?” she exclaimed. I felt like I was being interrogated and needed to make my case. So, one by one, I explained what each supplement was and why I considered it important to include in my daily regime.
When the start of a new year rolls around, many of us feel compelled to make a renewed effort to pursue better personal health. This pursuit often includes taking nutritional supplements.
Here’s the list of supplements I described to my daughter back then. I’m still persuaded they are necessary for my optimal wellness:
For General Health
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium (Necessary for the body to be able to utilize all that vitamin D)
- Calcium Citrate (Citrate allows you the freedom NOT to take it with a meal.)
- Omega-3 Fish Oil
- Probiotic
For Inflammation and Digestion
- Bromelain
Now, I know someone is going to write and ask me why my pill box doesn’t include a multivitamin. Here’s why: I regularly eat a varied diet which covers all the bases of my nutritional needs. That said, if your diet is “iffy,” you’re best to take an age-appropriate multivitamin as well.
There are some studies which have found that supplements do not improve one’s health outcomes. That’s a broad-brush statement, in my opinion. Maybe supplements don’t cut down on the number of major diseases one eventually is diagnosed with, but they may very well be enhancing many bodily processes which were not being analyzed by a particular study. Or, they might be pushing off health issues by a dozen years, or so. Difficult to know for sure.
Faced with this nutritional quandary, I decided I’d side with the school of thought that the supplements I regularly take will assist my body in maintaining homeostasis—an even-keeled of state of wellness. And, while my supplemental regime may be judged somewhat costly at first glance, a single co-pay at my doctor’s office would set me back $30 and my insurance company another $70 or so. Additionally, if I can avoid the cost of sick-related downtime, I’d consider the cost I incurred up front to be reasonable.
HELPFUL TIP: If you’d employ a daily “pill box”—left by the bathroom or kitchen sink, or somewhere where you can’t ignore it—you’ll find you will be more consistent in your daily dosing.