Hi there! I am Dr. Leslie, a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Functional Medicine specialist, and founder of Sharpe Concierge. Through my personal concierge physician services, food planning, food sensitivity testing, weight management, and supplementation program, I help busy professionals take control of their health to lead more vibrant lives.
Did you know that over 50% of the US population takes vitamin supplements? The most significant percentage of that group is over the age of 65. There is no reason to wait until you are older to take vitamins, but why should you take them?
Here are 8 important benefits of vitamins:
1. Increased energy
2. Increased focus
3. Increased metabolism
4. Better sleep
5. Weight loss
6. Overall health
7. Better Vision
8. Increased strength
Now that you know some of the benefits, let’s dig deeper.
There was a time when our ancestors could obtain all of the vitamins and minerals that they needed either directly or indirectly through the soil. As we continue to use the same soil for planting, the soil has been depleted of many of its benefits over the years. As a result, despite a good diet, we often need to supplement it for the best results.
There is abundant information on nutritional supplements in the media, some of which is quite controversial.
As a functional medicine specialist, I have studied vitamins and have come to understand their importance.
Nutritional supplements are more widely used now than at other times in history.
This is because many people have turned to nutritional supplements to fill the gaps in what they know to be an unhealthy American diet known as the SAD diet (Standard American Diet) that doesn’t meet the minimum daily requirements. Combining the fact that people are so time-starved today that many of us practically live on meals out of paper bags makes taking nutritional supplements almost mandatory. Taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements is an excellent way to ensure you get all the proper daily vitamins and minerals.
However, nutritional supplements should never be used as a substitute for a good diet.
If you still wonder if nutritional supplements are safe, the answer is unequivocal, yes! They can be of benefit to everyone from infants to the elderly. It is important to remember to take them at recommended doses.
Let’s talk more about those benefits.
1. Increased energy
According to Forbes contributor Nicole Gregory in a quote by Roberta Duyff “vitamins and minerals don’t provide energy directly. They do work within the body to trigger processes that produce energy.” Most information regarding the connection between vitamins and energy mentions B vitamins.
2. Increased focus
Studies have found that vitamin B12 plays a role in preventing brain atrophy. Atrophy is the death of cells.
3. Increased metabolism
B12 is essential for metabolizing proteins and fats, requiring B6 and folate to complete the task. B6, along with thiamine, helps metabolize protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
4. Better sleep
B12 plays a role in synthesizing and metabolizing serotonin, which is associated with sleep.
5. Weight loss
As vitamins increase metabolism, weight loss is the direct result.
6. Increases strength
Vitamins work together to increase your strength by providing critical components for muscle function, growth, and repair.
7. Better vision
Vitamins A, C, and E are essential for eye health, and B12 also helps to decrease to cause a significant decrease in the risk for macular degeneration.
8. Overall health
The information provided above is a small part of vitamins’ role in our overall health. Throughout this month, I will continue to provide you with facts related to vitamins and supplements as we journey toward better health.
Make sure you research to find high-quality vitamins from a reputable company. The key thing to remember when you decide to take (and you should!), nutritional supplements of any kind is to take them as directed. Do not use the philosophy of more is better.
If you’re still uncertain about what nutritional supplements you should take, schedule an appointment with your physician or nutritionist. It is important to remember that some supplements may decrease the efficiency of some prescribed medicines or interact with them, causing unwanted side effects.
Taken properly, nutritional supplements are an excellent way to ensure your body has all it needs to be healthy.
Thank you for reading this blog.
As always…I am Dr. Leslie, a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Functional Medicine expert, and founder of Sharpe Concierge. Through my concierge physician services, food planning, food sensitivity testing, weight management, and supplementation program, I help busy professionals take control of their health to lead more vibrant lives.
If you are ready to take control of your health, let’s work together! Use the code VITAMINS if you live in Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Georgia, Delaware, or Wisconsin for a free consultation. Click the Schedule A Consultation button at the top of the page to get started.
